A dance venue was the most requested choice of arts facilities (924 people or 54% respondents).

856 people (50% respondents) would like to see a Totnes Arts Festival.

There were other things asked for, too: more exhibition space (524 people), more artists’ studio space (390), and more linking of arts to tourism.

There was also considerable support for more funding for community arts (626 people), and an Arts Officer for the South Hams (492 people). Several respondents commented that this is one of the few areas in the country without an officer responsible for arts development.

Other suggestions included workshops for crafts, such as printmaking, ceramics, circus skills, weaving, a scrap store for donated/recycled arts and craft materials, a sculpture park and a community public sculpture programme. Dartington Arts was much appreciated as an arts venue, but it was not seen as catering for the ‘locally based arts community’.

The comments suggested a lively interest in the arts, and a thriving artistic community (particularly in music and the performing arts). Some, however, thought that there should be less emphasis on the arts, with comments like ‘less of the arts in general would be much appreciated’ and ‘the town has too much already’. A lot seems to be happening, but there is a feeling that some ‘co-ordination and pulling together’ is needed.

The vast majority of respondents (2,040 people, or 84%) felt that more housing was needed in Totnes, particularly for local people (1,350, 56%), low income families (966, 40%), and young people (904, 37%).

Over one in four respondents saw a need for housing for the homeless (711, 29%), single people (671, 28%), and the elderly (628, 26%).

The main need is for social housing (1,211 people, or 68% respondents). 715 people (40%) thought that more private rented accommodation is needed. The greatest need in the rented sector appears to be for young people’s starter homes.

146 households have a member in need of alternative accommodation. The majority of those people (122) are in immediate need, 93 will need it within the next 3 years, and a further 45 in 4-10 years. Alternative accommodation requirements include sheltered accommodation and residential care for the elderly and starter homes for young people.

820 people (36%) opposed the idea of any new building in Totnes.

Of those accepting that building might have to take place, the majority (1130, 50%) would want it kept within the town and only 240 (10%) think that new development should take place on greenfield sites. There was a feeling that space in existing buildings could be better used.

It was also argued that if new building is necessary it should be done sensitively and, whenever possible, on disused industrial land.

People were also asked what they thought of planning controls (i.e. the location and/or design of new buildings). Over half thought that the location and design/appearance of new buildings was good or reasonable (1139, 59% and 1114, 57% respectively).

However, over one in four people think that planning controls on new buildings are poor (487, 25% for location and 619, 32% for design/appearance).

This pattern is reversed when it comes to development on greenfield sites, with less than one third (522, 30%) of respondents saying that planning controls here are good/reasonable.

A majority of people (1,184, 49%) were not happy with the current level of policing in the town. Only 877 (36%) were, and further 350 (15%) had no opinion.

Foot patrols were seen as being an effective way of combating crime and vandalism. 1,338 (62%) thought that putting Bobbies back on the beat was very important, and 581 (27%) thought that it was worth doing.

1,239 were in favour of CCTV and 992 wanted more street lighting to improve safety in town generally.

Those in favour of Neighbourhood Watch schemes and more car patrols were equally split with 25% each.

Vandalism is seen by most people as being the greatest nuisance in Totnes by 1253 (62%) people.

Drinking in public places and drunkenness are also high on the list of concerns of 983 (49%) and 928 (46%) respondents respectively.

904 (45%) thought that burglary and theft were a problem and 624 (31%) thought that traffic offences caused a nuisance.

Drugs and drug related crime were not seen as a very serious nuisance, with only 524 (26%) identifying this as a problem.

Lowest on the list were noisy neighbours, with only 328 (16%) people ticking this question.