Annex A
The Village Health Check !
To the residents of Chalfont St Giles
We would like to know what you think about the village and its facilities.
Please complete this questionnaire.
It could help to make the village an even better place in which to live.
MARKET TOWN HEALTH CHECK
Dear Villager
In 2005 the Parish Revitalisation Committee and the Chalfont St Giles Parish Council produced the CHALFONT ST GILES PARISH PLAN. This recorded work done by villagers in the previous two years; it gave the background history, state and location of the village, commented on initiatives taken and acted upon and anticipated future concerns.
A Market Town Health Check, which has been set up and sponsored by the county and Chiltern District Council, is a follow-on step allowing the community to continue to assess and state its concerns for its future and to prioritise actions needed to support a lively, prosperous community. Once begun, a Market Town Health Check remains a flexible and evolving way to assess a community’s needs. It provides access to financial support, by giving solid facts showing community support when making applications for funding or grants.
The Parish Revitalisation Committee is co-ordinating the Health Check. It has the support of representatives from the Residents’ Association and the Conservation Area Committee. The Health Check is divided into four sections: Environment, Economy, Social and Community, Transport and Accessibility.
This questionnaire is your opportunity to say what sort of community you want in the future.
Please tell us your views.
Thank you
Chairman Revitalisation Committee
If you do not complete this form at the Show please, leave it at the Library by 30th September 2006.
MARKET TOWN HEALTH CHECK
ENVIRONMENT
1.If the Village needs more ‘affordable housing’, where should it be located?
Not needed: 28.14%
Outskirts of village*23.35%
Near surgery**14.37%
Brownfield sites***13.17%
Church Farm House****10.77%
Village Centre*****10.18%
* includes: Back Lane (allotments), Narcot Lane, The Vache, Bottrells Lane, Playing Fiends, Council Estate,, Dibden Hill, Three Households, Mill Lane and further afield.
** Garden Field, Bowstridge Lane, Townfield Lane.
*** Wherever houses are demolished.
**** Many contributors stated that Church Farm House should have been retained for the elderly.
***** To include Church Farm House and brown field sites.
2. Should the Village expand into the surrounding Green Belt fields?
No*: 89.35%
Yes** 10.65%
*In many cases, emphasised by “definitely no”, “absolutely not” and “this is my reason for living in CSG”.
**96% of these answers were qualified by “if necessary after using all brownfield sites”, “only very selectively”, “only where adjoining housing”, or “if affordable and/or retirement homes”.
3.Should there be ‘traffic calming’ in the Village?
Yes*: 66%
No : 28%
Possibly : 6%
The Deanway is the area giving most cause for concern as regards speeding motorists, followed by Pheasant Hill: and many contributors mentioned the Zebra Crossing on The Green.
Several solutions were proposed, including cameras, speed indicators, rumble strips and more rigorous enforcement of Parking restrictions. There seems to be mixed feelings towards humps – some for, some against; and requests for gentle humps or mild sleeping policemen. Also, suggested was raising the Zebra Crossing, lower speed limits (20mph) and more active policing. And a special request for no chicanes along with concern that the Village Centre should be preserved and not destroyed by too much clutter and interference.
4.Should more be done to remove litter from the streets and alleyways of the Village?
Yes : 71.85%
No : 28.15%
- Amongst suggestions made to improve situation were:
- More bins should be available.
- People should be educated.
- Children should be involved – including Scouts and Guides.
- Shopkeepers should take more responsibility.
- There should be regular sweeping – a street sweeper employed.
- Local organisations should help.
- Sponsored litter picking.
- Law should be enforced.
2. Mention was made of the successful “Broken Windows” campaign in New York – where a place is kept clean then more respect is shown!
5.Should there be planters and /or hanging baskets in the Village and, if so, where should these be located?
Yes*: 58.1%
No : 34.73%
Maybe :7.18%
- Of which : 77.32% favour both planters and baskets
19.58% baskets only
3.1% planters only
Many contributors pointed to the successful efforts made in Chalfont St Peter and Little Chalfont.
Concern expressed at cost of maintenance, lack of water and possible vandalism.
Favourable comments were made regarding existing displays, particularly at Merlin’s Cave and that the Village is pretty enough already.
MARKET TOWN HEALTH CHECK
ECONOMY
Set out below are the results of the questionnaire. A total of 171 responses were received .
1. How many times per week (on average ) do you visit businesses / shops in
the village?
5 times or more 36 %
2 to 4 times 52 %
Once 11 %
Never 1 %
C St P GX Lt ChalfontAmersham Beaconsfield
5 times
or more 2 %0 % 0 % 0 % 0 %
2 to 4 times 20 % 7 % 2 % 14 % 11 %
Once 38 % 22 % 11 % 39% 33 %
Never40 % 71% 87% 47% 56 %
2. Which businesses / shops in the village do you visit most often?
% of responses
Blackwell’s greengrocers65
Warner’s butchers57
Olde Post House ( Gordon )54
Post Office44
Stratton bakery43
Co –op27
Lloyds chemist26
Hairdresser ( none specifically )18
Pet shop16
Library12
Pubs ( none specifically ) 9
Bucks building society 7
Petal flower shop 7
Yaldens 7
It should be noted the tea room / deli was closed at the time of the questionnaire
3. Which additional businesses / shops are needed to attract you to visit the Village more often?
A total of 55 people either did not respond or were happy with the existing shops/ businesses .Of the 116 people who did respond the number mentioned, and some people mentioned more than one, are as follows:
Number
Bank / free cash point 47
Tea/ coffee shop38
Better supermarket26
Shoe shop , including repairs12
Better restaurants 7
Affordable clothes shops 7
Bookshop 6
Hardware shop 6
Cinema 3
Vet 2
Larger chemist 2
The number of shops / businesses mentioned just once is too numerous to list.
It is worth commenting that at the time of the questionnaire that the tea shop/ deli was closed and the Co-op had not been revamped. It is also clear that some people do not regard Three Households as part of the village by virtue of the number who mentioned a hardware shop.
4. What are the main barriers that prevent you visiting the Village as much as you would like?
A total of 71 people either did not respond or thought there were no barriers. Of the 100 people who did respond the number mentioned, and some people mentioned more that one, were:
Number
Car parking58
Range / variety of local shops27
Lack of banking / free cash point21
Working full time17
Shops too expensive ( mainly clothes shops )10
Infirmity / village too hilly 8
When commenting on car parking most people complained about the cost, particularly for short stays .Many wanted the first hour free. Other people commented on the lack of enforcement for people over- staying. Some people commented that more street parking was needed - others wanted less and better enforcement of yellow lines, particularly between the exit if the car park by the library and Olde Post House where parking on yellow lines constituted a danger.
MARKET TOWN HEALTH CHECK
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY
1.Which age group are you in?
<12yrs: 2
13 – 20yrs 9
21 – 40yrs25
41 – 60yrs61
61 – 70yrs35
>70 yrs46
Village clubs or societies:
2a. Which ones do you belong to?
Res Assn31
FOLibrary18
Gardens17
.WI10
Miltons 9
Twinning 7
Tennis 3
Cricket 3
Show 3
Red X 3
Bowls 2
Rock 2
Other11
119
2b.What new one would you like to see started in the Village?
Open spaces or sports facilities
3a.Which Village open space or sports facility do you use?
Playing fields39
Stone meadow35
Walking25
Tennis courts15
CSP Leisure 7
Cricket 5
Football 4
Golf 3
Bowls 2
135
b.What Village open space or sports facility would you like?
Community Library and Visitor Information Centre
4a.Will you use the planned Centre in the library building?
Yes, will use125
Internet 20
Info Centre 16
Coffee 5
Parish Office 2
No, won’t use 21
189
4b.What other facilities would you like to be available in this building?
5. Health
What is the biggest problem that you have concerning the health care services
Good & no problems 77
Chalfonts Hospital 16
Appointments delay 7
Weekend cover 7
Blank 63
170
2b &3b. What other facilities would you like?
Twinning with a French town
More seats
Gym (5)
Badminton
Music Society
Swimming pool
Walking groups
Boule court
Amateur dramatics
Running track
Cycle track/paths (3)
Indoor tennis
Dancing:
MARKET TOWN HEALTH CHECK
TRANSPORT AND ACCESSIBILITY
Buses
1a.Would you use the 305 Uxbridge to High Wycombe or the 353 Slough to Berkhamsted bus if there was a regular hourly service?
Yes: 40.7%
Extra buses through to HW not stopping at the Old Hare would be welcomed.
1b.Would you like the 335 Slough to Watford via Little Chalfont Station reinstated?
Yes: 47.7%
This is for the future, if when the metropolitan line is completed from Amersham via Croxley Green to Watford Junction. Bus passengers could alight at Lt Chalfont and go straight through to the Junction so if you want to cut out London to go to the north or south this bus would be ideal.
1c.Would you like the late 353 bus reinstated to pick up late passengers from the London train at Gerrards Cross?
Yes: 43.6%
Reinstatement of the late bus would be popular and welcomed particularly by the young.
Taxis, Dial-a-Ride
2a.Would you like a taxi rank in the Village centre?
Yes: 25.6%
Not much support; did not like the rank being in the centre of village.
2b.Would you like to see ‘Dial-a-Ride’ in the Village?
Yes: 54.7%
Lot of support for dial-a –ride. This could be based on the Chesham, South Bucks scheme.
Community Transport
3a.Would you like to help with the Good Neighbour scheme (taking people to hospital, doctors, etc)?
Yes: 28.5%
Several people interested in helping suggest advertising the good neighbour scheme.
3b.Would you support a community bus run by the Parish Council?
Yes: 47.1%
Lot of support for community bus but where would it be stationed and where would we get volunteer drivers from?
Cycles
4a.Would you use a bicycle if the road surface was in good condition?
Yes: 39.5%
More people would cycle if road surfaces were in good condition.
4b.Would you support cycle lanes?
Yes: 63.4%
A real surprise: the most popular preference. Cycle lanes A 413 suggested.
4c.Would you support dual use of pavements, ie. pedestrian/cycle?
Yes: 33.1%
No support in village centre but support for dual use in Narcot Lane to Community College.
Are there any other comments or suggestions you would like to make on the future sustainability of a prosperous Village?
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Thank you for completing this form.
Please let us know who you are and if you would be interested in helping with future activities regarding the Market Town Health Check.
Name: ………………………………………………..
Address: ……………………………………………...
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Tel: ……………………………….
Email: …………………………………………………………
I am/am not interested in helping with future activities regarding the Market Town Health Check.