Chaddleworth Community Plan: Next Steps

Chaddleworth Community Plan: Turning Your Voice into Action

Following the incredible 80% response rate to our community survey last autumn, the Chaddleworth Community Plan Steering Group has been hard at work analysing your feedback and developing action plans.

What We've Done So Far

We've carefully reviewed all survey responses and created a comprehensive list of initiatives based on the areas you told us matter most. These ideas directly reflect your priorities – from traffic management to community facilities and green spaces.

Next Steps: Making It Happen

Some actions will be taken forward by existing groups like the Parish Council and Chaddleworth Entertainments. However, many of your brilliant ideas will need new volunteer groups to bring them to life. Over the coming months, we'll be reaching out to the community to form these action teams – whether for improving communications, developing green spaces, or enhancing village facilities.

Funding Your Ideas

The Parish Council has earmarked a small seed fund in the budget from April to help kick-start some quick wins. For larger projects, we're reviewing West Berkshire Council's Parish Plan Grant Fund and other trusts and donors. Having an approved Community Plan significantly strengthens our case for external funding.

Ongoing Support

We'll be establishing a coordination team to support action groups with communications, funding applications, and tracking the impact of completed projects. This ensures your ideas don't just gather dust but become lasting improvements to our village.

Review and Approval Timeline

• Mid-February 2026: Draft Community Plan released for community review
• February-March: 4-week consultation period for your comments and feedback
• End of March 2026: Final plan submitted to West Berkshire Council (WBC) for approval.

Once WBC approves the plan, we'll unlock access to external funding opportunities and can begin implementing your priorities in earnest.

Your Voice Still Matters

When the draft plan is published in February, please take the time to review it and share your thoughts. This is your final opportunity to shape the document before it becomes our village's official blueprint for the next five years.

Watch this space for the February release – together, we're building a Community Plan that truly reflects Chaddleworth's future.

For more information or to get involved, contact the Community Plan Steering Group via chaddleworthplan@gmail.com

 

Chaddleworth Community Plan Survey Results: Your Voice Heard!

A Remarkable Response - Thank You!

We are delighted that nearly 80% of Chaddleworth Parish households responded to our Community Survey. This is an outstanding achievement that reflects the strength of our community spirit. This participation rate means our Community Plan will be based on solid evidence representing the genuine voice of our village.

A huge thank you goes to every resident who took the time to complete the survey, and to our dedicated team of volunteers who worked hard throughout September to ensure the responses were gathered.

The survey data has now been entered and analysed, revealing clear priorities and themes.

Our next steps will be turning these priorities into an action plan that will improve Chaddleworth’s community, and these will be shared with everyone shortly

The key highlights from each section of the Survey follow:

Safer: The good news is that over 90% of residents feel safe in Chaddleworth which is a testament to our peaceful village character.

However, there are clear concerns that need addressing:

• Three-quarters of residents support introducing a 20mph speed limit within the village
• 90% identified potentially dangerous areas because of fast-moving traffic, particularly on Main Street and at village approaches
• 72% consider overgrown verges a problem at junctions, with many noting that verges have encroached on roads while vehicles have grown larger
• Children's road safety emerged as a significant concern, with some residents suggesting certain give-way signs should be upgraded to stop signs

Communications: Most people are satisfied with current village communications, though different methods work for different people. Key findings include:

• Everyone appreciates Chaddleworth News, and are well informed about Chaddleworth Entertainments, Cricket Club and The Ibex Inn
• Areas that could be communicated better include: Parish Council updates and finances, local news and road closures, events in neighbouring villages, and Chaddleworth history and information
• Some respondents weren't aware of local charities such as the Bakers Trust and the Saunders, Wynn and Coventry Educational Foundation
• The village website and existing noticeboards could be updated and improved

Prosperous: When it comes to local services and economic opportunities:

• A local farm shop or market was the most wanted facility by residents
• 20% expressed interest in a shared workspace for home workers
• 24% would be interested in joining a networking group for local professionals
• Residents highlighted the need for a bus service for Newbury commuters

Healthy: Health and wellbeing opportunities showed strong interest in various areas:

• 24% of residents are not aware of the Downland Volunteer Group and the transport services they provide
• Exercise classes were the most wanted activity, followed by racket sports, walking groups, gardening groups, and mental health support
• For facilities, four options stood out as ideally wanted: outdoor gym equipment, a tennis court, a MUGA (multi-use games area), and a table tennis table
• There's strong support for more benches, rest areas and picnic tables around the village
• Additional footpath connections would be welcomed
• Residents suggested publishing walking routes and potentially establishing running routes and groups
• Addressing isolation and loneliness emerged as an important concern
• Where possible, replacing stiles with gates would improve accessibility

Greener: Environmental issues clearly matter to Chaddleworth residents:

• Nearly 90% of the village think the environment and sustainability is important
• There is strong support for planting more trees and wildflowers, creating a common green space, and developing a picnic area
• Residents are interested in a car share or lift-sharing scheme
• A log-buying syndicate could be beneficial
• Dog poo remains a concern, with calls for more bins in strategic locations
• Education on environmental issues, communications, and transport were highlighted as key areas for improvement

Community: The sense of community in Chaddleworth is clearly valued:

• The vast majority of residents think community spirit is good
• The Village Fete is the most supported community event, followed by national celebrations
• Three-quarters of people may volunteer to help with community activities – a fantastic resource for future projects
• Most wanted new facilities include parish annual events, pop-up food experiences, and seasonal celebrations
• Everyone wants more activities at the Village Hall, with suggestions for improvements including better kitchen facilities, heating, and broadband
• Two-thirds would support collaborating more closely with neighbouring villages on shared projects and events

Additional Comments

Residents also suggested:

• Creating a village welcome pack for new residents
• Reinvigorating village institutions and clubs, such as open gardens events, film/cinema nights, and the 100 Club

The full survey results and detailed analysis are available from the link below. You can respond to these results with any further comments or ideas for actions, by emailing chaddleworthplan@gmail.com Please include your ability to help implement potential actions.

Thank you once again for your tremendous participation. Together, we're building a Community Plan that truly represents what matters most to everyone in Chaddleworth.