The PTA are always keen to receive Tesco or
Sainsbury vouchers and we also accept
the Nestle cereal box tops.The Cringleford Parish Plan
Click on the section names below to go straight to the relevant section of the report
- Section 1 - PURPOSE OF THE PARISH PLAN
- Section 2 - CRINGLEFORD TODAY
- Section 3 - CRINGLEFORD IN THE FUTURE
- Section 4 - Parish Plan Survey Results
- Section 4.2 Transport
- Section 4.3 Village Facilities & Amenities
- Section 4.4 Housing and other buildings
- Section 4.5 The Environment
- Section 4.6 Parish Council Communications
- Section 5 - Parish Council Action Plan
Section 1. PURPOSE OF THE PARISH PLAN
The Parish Plan Committee was set up by Cringleford Parish Council in December 2005 to act on behalf of the Parish Council to carry out research, to produce a report outlining how the community sees itself developing over the next 10 years and to give the village an opportunity to shape its future.The Plan aims to:
- Reflect the views of all sections of the community;
- Identify which features and local characteristics people value;
- Identify local problems and opportunities;
- Spell out how residents want the community to develop in the future;
- Prepare a plan of action to achieve this vision.
From the responses received a questionnaire was drawn up and hand delivered by the Parish Council to every household in the village with an invitation to post back the completed forms through a number of letterboxes around the village. From the 895 questionnaires delivered 233 were completed and returned.
Section 2. CRINGLEFORD TODAY
Cringleford is a thriving village with a population of over 2,000 people. It has an attractive setting with a wide range of properties including many large, individual properties set in sizeable plots. Many established trees contribute to a spacious and 'green' aspect. Located within the Conservation Area, lies the Village Green with its village sign, village pump and seating. The parish church, water meadows and some listed buildings also form part of this area. Over the last 30 years the village has steadily expanded which has added to the popularity of the village. Further development of 750 dwellings is due to take place to the west of Colney Lane.The village today boasts a wide range of facilities, with a Recreation Ground with sporting facilities, Pavilion, Scout hut and children's play-area, village hall with a bowling green (Patteson Parish Rooms and Club), church hall and Guide hut, a Post Office and shop, First and Middle School, a doctor's surgery and a small number of businesses. There are clubs and societies for every age group from Mums and Toddlers to Senior Social Club, the whole range of Guiding and Scouting groups, a thriving Women's Institute, Horticultural Society, Historical Society, Flower Clubs, Amateur Dramatic Society, football, tennis, cricket, bowls and many more.
Cringleford is ideally situated, being close to Norwich, the University of East Anglia, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Norwich Research Park and within easy reach of the A11, A47 and A140. With its village atmosphere and attractive green setting in the Yare Valley, Cringleford is a very desirable place to live.
Roger Bellinger-for Cringleford Historical Society 7.10.2002
Section 3. CRINGLEFORD IN THE FUTURE
Cringleford in the 21st Century is set to change very dramatically. Following a Public Inquiry into South Norfolk’s Local Plan the Inspector highlighted the land north of the A11 at Cringleford as being a suitable site for development. With its close proximity to Norwich, the new University Hospital and the Norwich Research Park at Colney, a group of local landowners got together and in 2001 submitted an outline planning application for a development of 750 dwellings to be erected between Colney Lane and Newmarket Road slip road. The plans also included a much awaited second access to the new hospital after extensive lobbying to the Government for a second access from the A47 Norwich Southern Bypass was repeatedly turned down.
The Department of Transport held up the planning application whilst discussions took place on the provision of traffic lights on the Thickthorn roundabout but the plans were finally agreed in August 2004 and the land went up for sale. Norfolk County Council undertook to construct, on behalf of the developers, the new link road from the A11 to the hospital and work started in August 2004 with the road being opened in March 2005. Two developers, Twigden Homes Ltd and Bovis Homes Ltd, bought the land and in 2006 the first of the planning applications were submitted.
At the time of producing this Parish Plan applications for the infrastructure and 372 dwellings have been submitted. Such a major development will undoubtedly change the face of Cringleford and the Parish Council is keen to make sure that the new residents feel just as much part of our lovely village as the people who have lived here all their lives.
Section 4. Parish Plan Survey Results
4.1 Who gave their views?
A total of 233 households responded to the questionnaire, an overall response rate of some 25%.
In analysing responses:
- Where members of a household belong to more than one age group and all members are over 19, responses have been recorded in line with the age of the oldest respondent.
- Where any member of the household is under 19, responses have been analysed in the family section.
Using this method, responses can be broken down as follows:
|
Families |
19 - 30 |
31 - 50 |
51-65 |
66-80 |
81+ |
Total |
Number |
45 |
1 |
5 |
45 |
103 |
34 |
233 |
%age of respondents |
19% |
0% |
2% |
19% |
44% |
15% |
100% |
Section 4.2 Transport
With 30% of households indicating that the Bus service features in their “top three aspects of Cringleford that need improving”, transport is clearly an important issue to local residents.
It is very clear that the problem increases with age i.e. lack of physical mobility and/or decreased ability to drive. As can be seen at the time the questionnaire was issued, there were only 3 specified destinations that could be visited by bus.
Table 4.2.1 How do households travel to various locations?
Despite the lack of public transport, with the exception of Waitrose, 10% or less of households would use buses, even if they were available to visit the major local amenities:
Table 4.2.2 Would households use buses to make any of the following journeys?
Also, interestingly, less than 2% of residents “often” have difficulty visiting essential medical services:
Table 4.2.3 Do households have difficulty visiting the following because of lack of public transport?
With 35% of households containing at least 1 cyclist, and 32% indicating they would cycle more if there were more cycle paths in the village, cycling is a popular alternative mode of transport especially for the under 65s.
Table 4.2.3.a Households which contain residents who currently cycle
Families |
19-65 |
66+ |
combined |
||
31 |
31 |
19 |
81 |
||
Table 4.2.3.b Households where members would cycle more if there were more cycle paths
Families |
19 – 65 |
66+ |
combined |
32 |
24 |
19 |
75 |
Section 4.3 Village Facilities & Amenities
It is very apparent from the survey results that residents greatly enjoy the range of facilities & amenities available to them, with these supplementing the village’s physical location. Households were asked to list their three favourite assets in Cringleford from which the following table has been collated:
Table 4.3.1 The most “enjoyable” assets in Cringleford voted for by all households:
Additionally, it is important to note that the school received 15 “votes”, the majority of which were from families.
Households were also questioned as to whether a range of offensive behaviours were a problem in the village. There was a large degree of uniformity across the age groups with the areas of most concern being: Parking on roads, vandalism & speeding which cause concern to 63%, 61% & 53% of households respectively.
Table 4.3.2 Households who are concerned about the following behaviours
Backing up perceived problems in the village, 59 households (25% of respondents) who are not already members of active neighbourhood watch schemes would like to join one.
A new 250 person Community Centre will be built in the Round House Park development. The centre will be designed to enhance village facilities and it is not envisaged that it will be in competition with the existing community facilities. With this in mind, households expressed their views on existing & proposed amenities.
The Recreation Ground is obviously an important facility enjoyed by many in the village, with 50% of households placing it within their “top three areas which should be preserved as a permanent open space” (followed by the Village Green and the Yare Valley voted for by 40% and17% of households respectively). It is enjoyed by the majority of households who responded across all age ranges.
Table 4.3.3 How often do households use the Recreation Ground?
In commenting on the Recreation Ground, 7 households suggested that the existing playground equipment needs updating and extending.
Moving onto the main community buildings, under 65 year olds are more likely not to support the refurbishment of existing buildings than those over 65, although in both age groups a significant level would support refurbishment, with 46 respondents (i.e. 20%) in favour of general renovation of the buildings.
Table 4.3.4 Would households support refurbishment of the following?
Households were asked to rate facilities provided in the village for different age groups. Where respondents had an opinion, facilities were in general considered “good” or “reasonable” with the marked exception of the 12 – 16 years and 17 – 25 year age groups. Over 47% of families in particular rate facilities poor for both of these age groups.
Table 4.3.5 How do households rate facilities for the following age groups? (excluding those with no opinion)
There is a marked similarity across all groups as to the additional leisure facilities households would like in the village, with all groups favouring additional Adult Education classes, health & fitness classes and walks. Additionally families & younger households would welcome extra cycle paths.
Table 4.3.6 What additional leisure facilities would households use in the new extended village?
Additionally 41% of households have indicated that in the event of the Parish Churchyard being closed for burials (though not for the internment of ashes) they would wish for another burial ground to be provided in the parish.
By far the most popular means for residents to obtain information about events is through the Parish magazine, with over 90% of every age group obtaining information from this source. In general there is continuity across all age groups, with the council newsletter & village notice boards also being widely used. Understandably, families also obtain information from the school.
Table 4.3.7 From where do households obtain information about events?
Section 4.4 Housing and other buildings
Round House Park is being developed within the village boundaries and at the time of the questionnaire being issued a detailed planning application had been submitted by the developers. All questions were asked within this context.
Over 70% of all residents believe that the Cringleford needs both sheltered accommodation and independent homes for the elderly. Although the proportion supporting such development varies across the different groups, it is the most important type of housing demanded by all.
Table 4.4 .1 What accommodation do households think Cringleford Needs? (Proportion responding “yes”)
In a similar vein, although 50% of respondents do not believe that Cringleford can support any further housing, over 30% of households would again support both the provision of sheltered housing and independent homes suitable for the elderly within the existing residential area of the village
Table 4.4.2 In addition to Round House Park do households believe that Cringleford can support any further housing (Proportion responding “yes”)
Although there is some support for further development of non residential building in Cringleford, with 15% of households supporting further offices and11% favouring workshops, a resounding 160 households i.e. 69% of respondents would not support any further non residential development in Cringleford.
Section 4.5 The Environment
The questionnaire clearly showed that residents are already very interested in recycling. Additionally 155 households (67% of all respondents) would be interested in joining a “Freecycle” network in Cringleford.
Table 4.5.1 Would households use/ or do they already use the following (answers collated across all age groups)
Section 4.6 The Parish Council
Households are in general satisfied with the local Parish Council, in both the way it spends money on behalf of the residents, and how it publicises its decisions.
Table 4.6.1.How well do households think the parish council publicises its decisions and activities? (Answers collated across all age groups)
Very Well |
100 |
Badly |
2 |
Reasonably Well |
110 |
No Opinion |
21 |
Table 4.6.2 Are households satisfied with how the Parish Council spends money on its behalf? (Answers collated across all age groups)
Finally households were asked how funds should be raised to finance the implementation of any of the activities undertaken as a result of the plan. The most popular course is to raise money through grants, favoured by 198 of households (85%) of respondents, whilst the least popular is to raise council tax, which was voted for by 57 respondents.
Table 4.6.3 Suggestions for sources of funding
Section 5 - Parish Council Action Plan
| Section | Subject | Action | Time Scale |
| 4.2 | Bus | Since the questionnaire was issued the 10A and 123 bus services have been set up. Parish Council to continue to advertise the services in its Newsletter | October 2006 & ongoing |
| 4.2 | Lift sharing | Parish Council to raise awareness of people needing lifts | Ongoing |
| 4.2/4.3 | Cyclepaths | The Parish Council is already liaising with the Round House Park developers to ensure the provision of a full network of cyclepaths on the new development. Unfortunately it is impractical to provide cyclepaths in the existing residential area because of lack of space | Ongoing |
| 4.3 | Neighbourhood watch | Public meeting to be attended by police to give residents help in starting new schemes | To be launched at Annual Parish Meeting April 2007 |
| 4.3 | Litter | Parish Council to report fly tipping to South Norfolk Council for clearance | Ongoing |
| 4.3 | Dog Fouling | Parish Council to investigate installing additional bins around the village | Full review by April 2007 |
| 4.3 | Road Parking | Parish Council to liaise with Norfolk County Council regarding parking issues | By Jan 2007 – then ongoing |
| 4.3 | Speeding | Parish Council to discuss at Annual Parish Meeting & consider tools available | April 2007 |
| 4.3 | Information on events etc | The Parish Council website has always been intended to inform villagers about Parish business. The Parish Council will investigate setting up a private website containing general information on the village | January 2007 & ongoing |
| 4.3 | New Community Centre | Parish Council to attempt to negotiate to obtain a building suitable for desired range of activities | January 2007 |
| 4.3 | New equipment for existing play area | Parish Council to cost equipment | October 2007 |
| 4.3 | Youth Club | Parish Council to call a Public meeting to investigate starting up a new youth club | July 2007 |
| 4.4 | Housing for the elderly | Parish Council to negotiate with the Round House Park Developers to provide sheltered housing | January 2007 |
| 4.5 | Recycling facilities | Parish Council have negotiated with Developers to provide recycling centre on Round House Park | To be in place by December 2008 |
| 4..5 | Freecycle Network | Parish Council to investigate setting up network for Cringleford | Publish details in March 2007 Newsletter |