Wolsingham Parish Council; Future Planning

Policy Statement resulting from Consultations 2020

After a wide-reaching consultation process, in which questionnaires were sent to almost all homes in Wolsingham & Thornley, also accessible on our website, and followed up by a well attended face-to-face consultation event, we are now able to make a statement of our policy in relation to future planning.

Whilst consultations are never perfect or permanent, it would be appropriate that this policy is not changed without evidence from a future consultation that residents’ views have changed significantly.

1.The council will continue its policy of seeking external funding each year for a specific major project, which will vary from year to year depending on local issues and interests.

2.The council will seek to create new and better toilet facilities at the St Anne’s Centre. This may be a suitable project for external funding support in the 2020/2021 year.

3.The council should progress the possibility of developing tennis courts. We received feedback that the MUGA area at the sports hall was planned to have tennis courts, and that tennis nets were purchased for it. We are now informed that the type of surface provided there is not suitable for tennis.

4.The council will pursue both of the ideas offered to improve community cohesion, (Annual Festival and Community Resource Sharing) and respond positively to any other community initiatives which would enhance the sense of belonging in Wolsingham and Thornley.

5.The council will seek to provide support for local businesses and for new ‘start-up’ businesses in our Parish, by providing information and discussion groups on the theme of “Starting a Business”.

6.The council will seek to develop a ‘town trail’ with information about local history, culture and ecology. We are exploring a web-based option which will be accessible to all for free, using a mobile phone or computer, but we are also mindful that this needs to be accessible to those who do not use technology. This will support the “Walkers are Welcome” initiative and integrate with the work of Wolsingham Wayfarers.

7.Council will look to arrange some coaching at the skatepark in the summer, and encourage the formation of a tennis club to further the use of the existing facilities.

8.We have again been lobbied about a Hockey Pitch, which has some public support. Whilst we will support the wish to create a hockey pitch, we do not own any suitable area of land, and could not afford the cost of creating and maintaining an artificial surface, which is at least five times our total annual budget.

9.Whilst there were many different ideas offered, all of which we will keep in mind, there was no other clear issue which was widely shared. Many of the detail ideas offered will form part of our routine maintenance plan, such as clearing vegetation overgrowth and improving footpaths.

10.Other provision (such as providing a cycle route to Frosterly) are beyond our powers but will be supported in the Area Action Partnership where the different agencies come together to share objectives.

11.It is much appreciated that some residents complimented our work to date and appreciated the consultation effort. We are committed to consulting with residents about any major projects in future, including about any significant change in this policy.

David Sugden

Adopted 10 March 2020