Foreword
The impetus for this appraisal came from the issue of need for a village/parish hall/centre within the parishes of Broadwoodwidger and Virginstow. For many years the question of the need for a centre has been raised on and off with no consensus of opinion forthcoming. A Parish Hall fund was started some time ago and the proceeds are held by the Parish Council in a separate account.
In the present climate, with the opportunity to bid for funding for projects like Parish Centres, the Parish Council are of the opinion that this subject must be brought before the Parish once again. There may never be another opportunity to provide the Parishes with a Centre incorporating social, educational and commercial opportunities.
Broadwoodwidger and Virginstow are truly rural parishes, Broadwoodwidger having the honour of being the second largest parish in Devon. The area has suffered a decline in population due to the advances in education and agricultural technology. Unlike most parishes, our parishes are made up of a number of hamlets developed, originally from the need for housing for the workers on the larger farms of the area. This was made apparent by the archaeological investigation at Hennard in the neighbouring parish of Germansweek. Over many years, the pub, shops and post office have all closed, leaving the chapel, the church and the school as the focal points in the Parishes. For those not involved with these there is nothing. Due to the isolated position of our Parishes, and the lack of public transport, the motor car is essential as a means of getting to work, shopping and recreation.
The Parish Council's preferred site at Ivyhouse takes into account the benefits the Parish Centre would provide for the school which lacks physical educational facilities. It may be said that the school is in the wrong place and it should be in the village of Broadwoodwidger but the reason for the position of the school at Ivyhouse is lost in the mists of time.
It will be necessary to form a management committee who will be the Trustees of the Parish Centre Charity, to be responsible for the planning, purchase of land for sports facilities, building and the ultimate profitable running of the Centre. Once built it must pay its way every day of every month in every year. Failure so to do would result in a charge on the Council Tax to make good any deficit.
Parishioners are reminded that South West Water has planning permission for a Visitors Centre adjoining the Roadford Cafe. This may incorporate all the opportunities that the appraisal has highlighted as being required, with the exception of the sports ground. SWW have promised to provide such facilities since planning permission was granted for the reservoir. Parishioners should be aware that SWW is acommercial concern and they would make charges for use, as indeed will the Parish Centre Management Committee if we go ahead alone.
The Parish Councillors are indebted to Kathleen Perkins, Hannah Reynolds and Mike Knight of the Community Council of Devon for their advice, for assisting in the preparation of the Appraisal questions and for printing the results, without them we would have been lost. Our thanks are extended to David Pinney, whose original enthusiasm and advice directed us to the Community Council and to Sue Pygott of the LEA for her support in the siting of the building on school land. The Chairman is very grateful to the councillors for their stalwart efforts in distributing and collecting the appraisal forms and for seeing that every household receives this report. We must also mention that the costs of this appraisal were covered by Torridge District Council and the Parish Council.
Finally, a very big THANK YOU to all the people of the Parishes for their magnificent efforts in completing the Appraisal forms. Our percentage return of 86% is amongst the highest ever returned in an operation of this type.
Executive Summary - Action Points
Housing
As four households have expressed a need for housing to rent, Torridge District Planning Authority should be advised.
Employment
The viability of any industrial development requires careful consideration taking into account the effect on the environment.
Education and Training
Investigate the possibilities for the provision of adult vocational and educational facilities.
Health and Medical Services
Investigate the possibility of the provision of a community car with drivers on a voluntary basis.
Sports, Social and Entertainment
Call a Public Meeting to discuss the issue of proceeding with a Parish Centre to be attended by a Torridge Planning Officer, Local Education Authority Officer, and a member of the Community Council of Devon.
Transport
Continue with discussion and lobbying of Devon Highways. Public transport issues to be discussed with pertinent authorities.
Population
It is encouraging to note that the age profile of the area is balanced between those of age 17-60 years at 57% with the 0-16 years at 22% and over 60's also at 22%. The ratio of males to females is 52% to 48%.
Housing
Need was identified for housing for local people (145 respondents) and young people (136 respondents). 246 out of 389 respondents (63%) said they thought the housing stock should be increased in the next 10 years. 89 respondents suggested less than 10 dwellings, 78 people 10-20 dwellings and a further 39 respondents, 20-30.
Comment was made that the design, material used and quality of any new buildings should be in keeping with the area.
RECOMMENDATION
As four households have expressed a need for housing to rent, Torridge District Planning Authority should be advised.
Employment
As expected, the most people are employed within the agricultural industry, the majority of these being self-employed.
It was noted that 2% of the populatiob are unemployed. The lack of employment opportunities and child care facilities were identified as the main barriers to employment. Lack of public transport was also identified as an obstacle.
The majority of respondents, 289 people, would like to see more employment in the area. More details are shown in the charts of the types of additional employment preferred by respondents for the parishes
The issue of the encouragement of tourism was supported by 207 out of a total of 390 people who responded to this question. However, there were 134 people against. Encouraging tourism received further support when 77 people suggested that this would be an area acceptable for additional employment.
RECOMMENDATION
The viability of any industrial development requires careful consideration taking into account the effect on the environment.
Education & Training
The Primary School is going from strength to strength with 39 pupils on roll. It is noted, however, that 15 secondary school children are unable to attend after school activities due to lack of public transport and/or distance between home and school.
72 respondents said they would be interested in receiving training in new technology/computing skills. Other training needs identified were professional/managerial (34), skilled/craft related (37) and rural/ agricultural skills (39).
Of the 360 replies about Adult Learning Provision, 129 were of the opinion that the service provided was reasonable or better and 144 felt provision was poor and/or not provided. Being an isolated rural community entails travel to the local urban centres. If adult education was available within the parish 62% of those responding to this question (377) would attend.
The need for Nursery School provision in the parish was equally divided between those of the opinion that it was necessary (190) and those against (43)Ino opinion (147). The need, however, for a pre-school playgroup was supported by 236 people.
RECOMMENDATION
Investigate the possibilities for the provision of adult vocational and educational facilities.
Health & Medical Services
The vast majority of respondents were pleased with the standard of service provided by the Health Care Facilities. Although it is noted that due to the isolated nature of the community some residents are finding it difficult to get to hospital/doctor/chemist/optician or dentist, which highlights the possible need for a community car with drivers on a voluntary basis.
RECOMMENDATION
Investigate the possibility of the provision of a community car with drivers on a voluntary basis.
Sports, Social & Entertainment
The overwhelming opinion of the respondents to the appraisal is that facilities for this purpose are poor. If a Centre were provided 61% would use it more than once a month. There is overwhelming support for a playing field (68%). The need for recreational facilities within a Centre is supported with a call for the provision of a wide range of activities.
It should be borne in mind that the need for people to organise and run any activity will be paramount to the decision by the parish to proceed with the provision of such a centre.
Opinions vary on the siting of the centre. The indications are that the proposed site at Ivyhouse has some support as it will benefit the school.
The need for nursery/playgroup, adult education classes, provision for a Citizens Advice Bureau and perhaps post offce and medical services could be accommodated within the Centre together with all the latest technology needed in the 21 st Century. (It has already been indicated that higher authorities will be using electronic mail in the near future with the provision of terminals in each town/village.)
Indications are that up to 90% of funding is available to successful applicants with the addition of EEC funding for new technology.
RECOMMENDATION
Call a Public Meeting to discuss the issue of proceeding with applications for grants for a Parish Centre to be attended by a Torridge Planning Officer, Local Education Authority Offcer, and a member of the Community Council of Devon.
Transport
Lack of public transport has been mentioned by several respondents but the overwhelming concern of those living within the area of the C493 Road (from Dam to Ashmill and from Ivyhouse Cross to Tower Hill) is the increase in heavy commercial transport and the speed of all vehicles along these roads.
RECOMMENDATION
Continue with discussion and lobbying of Devon Highways. Public transport issues to be discussed with pertinent authorities.