Public Rights of Way Survey

Between May and July 2024 a survey of Public Rights of Way (PROWs) was undertaken.

In the summary of the report the group said that they considered the footpaths and bridleways of Hatfield Broad Oak parish to be generally in good order with no major concerns. The report of a survey of the footpaths in the parish of Hatfield Broad Oak. It covers Public Rights of Way (PROW) that are footpaths, bridleways or byways; roads are not covered, and, except for National Trust land, there are no permissive ways in the parish at the time of the survey. The survey was done by Adrian Birt with assistance from the Hatfield Broad Oak Walking Group (led by Toni Howarth), Little Hallingbury Walking Group and Meixian Birt during the period 4th May to 19th July 2024. The report was written by Adrian Birt for the Neighbour Plan Working Party of Hatfield Broad Oak Parish Council.

Community Survey

In the spring of 2024, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee produced a questionnaire for residents of the parish. The aim of the questionnaire was to identify priorities and resident’s issues in relation to such topics as future development, transport, infrastructure, business, services, environment, community and communication.

Housing Needs Survey

At the request of the Parish Council in March 2022 the Rural Council Community for Essex (RCCE) undertook a Housing Needs Survey in the Village. Their report was published in August 2022.

A twelve page printed survey document was distributed to every household in the Village This asked the occupier(s) to describe the type of property they occupied and to provide details of the occupants.

Further questions asked if family members had moved away from the Village in the past five years because they had been unable to find local, affordable housing.

The respondent was asked if they were in favour of constructing additional, affordable housing in Hatfield Broad Oak, and for their opinion on where it should be located.

A second section of the survey was provided which requested more specific information from those who would like to be considered as occupants of the new affordable housing.

Housing Development

In September 2024 a 'Call for Sites' request to all known landowners in the Parish was undertaken.

A total of eight responses were received.