The Parish Appraisal

The steering group was set up to guide the appraisal to allow the inhabitants of Winkleigh parish to express their views on how their village and surrounding area should develop, by identifying issues of concern, suggesting solutions to them and proposing an action plan for their implementation. This action plan will be discussed at the public meeting on June 27th.

The first step was the anonymous questionnaire, which has now been returned and analysed. A total of 411 questionnaires were distributed to households in the parish of which a total of 333 were returned. This represents a reesponse of 81%. This report brings together the most outstanding points raised and draws various conclusions. It also has some fo the personal anonymous comments put into the questionaires for interests sake.

We would like to thank Hannah Reynolds, Mike Knight and Helen Vines of the Community Council of Devon for all their advice and help. Devon County Council for printing and analysing the questionnaire and printing this report. Torridge District Council for their financial support. Thanks to all the respondents for taking the time to fill in the questionnaire. Lastly, thanks to the members of the Steering Group who gave so much of their time freely and to Sarah and John Ellerker for their help with the documentation. The total cost of all this to the parish was £ 150 paid by the Parish Council.

Character of the Parish

The main village of the Parish is Winkleigh. Much of the original cob and thatch remains and from many points in the village there are fine views across Dartmoor, especially from the churchyard. The remainder of Winkleigh Parish comprises a number of smaller villages and hamlets, most notable being Hollacombe.

The view over the land contirbuted to the village's earliest foundation in Saxon times and the subsequent occupation by the Normans. This is reflected in the fact that Winkleigh is reputed to be the only village in Devon to have two Norman castles. Although little evidence exists today of the castles, remains can still be seen, Court Castle on the B3220 and Croft Castle by the Village Hall. Mention was made in the Domesday Book that Winkleigh had the only wildlife park in Devon.

Winkleigh was designated a "selected local centre" for the current Devon County Structure Plan, where it is intended that investment and development should be concentrated. The centre of Winkleigh was made a conservation area in 1971. An interesting note is that in the census of 1871 Winkleigh's population was 1,402 living in 299 houses - by the 1991 census the population had fallen to 1,016 but the number of houses had risen to 457.

Construction of Winkleigh Airfield was started in 1940 and many different nationalities flew from this base during the Second World War. In 1995 a Memorial stone was laid to commemorate 50 years of peace and many people who had been based here during the war attended.

During the past five years Fore Street (or the Square) has been enhanced with all the overhead wires being laid underground and Vistorian type lighting added, the Church Steps have been repaired and the Village Pump should soon be back in working order.

Over the years there have been gradual improvements to the roads and Winkleigh is now served by an excellent road system.

Recommendations

Housing
The Parish and District Council should ensure that planning applications contain suitable low cost housingfor local people in order to meet the needs of the village as expressed in this appraisal.

Recreation
The children's play area needs urgent attention, a more central site must be investigated or at least a safe controlled crossing created across the main road to the present site.

The possibility of a new sports/recreation centre should be considered and investigated in depth. The tennis court and the toilet also need bringing back into good order and a request for a Criket Pitch has been noted.

Employment
Winkleigh is not a special case with regard to employment. Most rural communities will have the same problems in this economic climate, however the introduction of employment training and workshops to rent/buy locally and an improvement in public transport could change the situation for the better. Before any further recommendations were made the Parish Council should contact the local employers excluded from this survey.

Services
Police - the findings of this survey must go to out local police station and a copy to the Chief Constable in Exeter.

It would be a good idea to invite a spokesman from British Gas along to a public meeting to discuss the possibility of connection.

Parking
Cost of a new car park and the question of people actually using it need to be duscussed further.

OAPs
The over 60s group should be contacted regarding day care and meals on wheels service in the hope of raising awareness.

Youth
This was identified as a key area for action. There is an urgent need to explore the future provision of social and recreational facilities for the youth of Winkleigh, actively involving young people in this process.

Adult Education Provision
Further investigations should be made into the need for provision in the village or transport to a nearby centre.