Sampford Courtenay Parish Survey Report 2004

 

The Parish

 

Sampford Courtenay is a large rural pari

sh of 3350 hectares, lying close to the northern fringes of Dartmoor. The village is six miles north-east of Okehampton (with all major services, including supermarkets) and two miles from North Tawton, where there are local shops, primary school, doctor and dentist. The community of 528 inhabitants is partly clustered in the village and a few hamlets, but many people live in fairly isolated situations. The village has a pub and a sub-post office but, since 1987, no shop. Sampford Courtenay is noted for its cob and thatch cottages and, historically, for being the site of the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549. The manor of Sampford Courtenay was owned by King’s College Cambridge for 350 years.

The parish has its own railway station, closed in the early 1970s but recently reopened and the subject of plans by Dartmoor Railway to run daily passenger services to Exeter and Okehampton. A limited bus service links the parish with Okehampton, North Tawton and Exeter.

 

Methodology

 

During 2003 the Parish Council agreed it would be desirable to conduct a new survey of the parish to determine how residents feel about local issues and whether they would wish to see any changes. The survey would provide the Culm Locality group of the Okehampton Area Market and Coastal Towns Initiative with useful information sourced from the community.

A steering committee was formed in December 2003 and a well attended public meeting was held in February 2004 to introduce the survey, which is the first part of the process towards formulating a Parish Plan. A questionnaire was designed and sent out to every household. This report contains the results of that survey.

 

The Objectives of the Survey

 

·        To have a comprehensive consultation with the community.

·        To enable a representative sample of views in the parish to be expressed.

·        To find what problems or unmet needs there are in the parish.

 

The Survey

 

251 questionnaires were sent out or posted to households in the parish and 121 were returned using the pre-paid envelopes provided. This gives a return rate of 48.2%. The surveys represented the opinions of 258 people in the parish. Our thanks go to everyone who took the time to complete the forms. It had been decided not to coerce people - by knocking on their doors - into returning their surveys and we are content that the response is a

representative cross section of a community.

 

Each survey had tick boxes for up to six individual persons. The surveys could be answered by anyone of 14 years and over, with younger children having their own survey. It should be noted that:-

 

w          Not all questions were completed by everyone.

w          Some questions were not fully understood by everyone.

w          Percentages where given are a percentage of the persons who answered the questions.

w          Percentages have been rounded up or down so do not always add up to 100%.

w          We have tried to include as many of the comments made as possible, some of which appear in summarised form. Comments appear in blue text.

w          Not everyone took the opportunity to make additional comments.

 

This report has been presented in a format which contains all the facts and, it is hoped, is easy to read and understand.  Numbers and percentages of persons answering each question have not always been mentioned but these statistical (and anonymous) data and further analyses are available.  Please contact the Parish Clerk for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

The Survey Results

 

Individuals

 

Age Range

 

Of the 258 people who answered the survey 248 indicated their age. 64% were aged between 41 and 70.

 

Of the 231 people who indicated their sex, 52% were males.

 

 

 

Residence in Parish

 

A third of respondents failed to indicate how long they had been living in the parish. It is possible that the question was missed due to its position in the grid. However it is encouraging to see a high response to the survey from newcomers.
 
             

                

 

            

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Employment and Education

 

 

Employment Status

 

 

 

 

As might be expected from the age range distribution, the graph shows a large number of retired persons in the community, while a similar number of persons are in employment or are self-employed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature of Employment

 

 

 

 

Not everyone stated which sector they worked in.  A quarter of those answering were employed in agriculture/horticulture, followed by public sector workers. Leisure and tourism accounted for only 6%. Some of those occupations in the ‘other’ category could have been included in the named categories (although not making a significant difference) and some second home owners recorded jobs that may have been situated outside the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Types of Employment to encourage in the Parish

145 people were in favour of agricultural related small industry being encouraged in the parish and only 14 were not in favour. However, no comments were made as to specific operations. Small scale industrial workshops were viewed as undesirable by 68 people but 25 people were strongly in favour. More than 100 people were in favour of tourism development although only 24 people would like to see Sampford Courtenay develop as a tourist centre.

 

Other comments and suggestions made were:-

General store.

B & B.

Craft related workshop.

Exported office services using Broadband Internet connection.

Non traffic generating.

Use of farm buildings as craft workshops or for selling antiques or production of lime products etc.

 

 

Is there a Need for Educational Facilities in the Parish?

 

Both a playgroup and pre-school were wanted by at least 25 people and nearly double that number were in favour of a registered childminder. Not everyone in the parish may be aware that there is thought to be at least one person already operating as a registered childminder.

 

There was strong demand for adult education classes. We asked whether these should be held in the parish and 120 people agreed (including at least 20 people who had not responded to  the previous question about a need for classes!). Half this number were prepared to travel locally elsewhere to classes and distance learning from home also found favour with 38 people. Classes held in the evening were easily the most popular, but many people were flexible with timing and mornings, afternoons and weekends were also acceptable to them.

 

Education Classes:  The most wanted subjects

 

 

 Language study was the most popular subject with French, Spanish and Italian being mentioned specifically. Local history was also wanted and DIY (home improvements, plumbing and car maintenance receiving comments) was in demand.

It was not possible to match distance learning subjects apart from languages and study for the Open University.

 

 

 

 

Transportation and Highways

 

We wanted to know, initially, how (or if) people travelled from their home in pursuit of employment or training/study. This question did not apply to about half of the respondents to the survey, due to their being retired or unwaged. Of the 54 claiming to work at home, 16 appeared to be retired or unwaged. Possibly they are engaged in part time work at home, e.g. Agriculture.

 

Location of Work/Training/Study

 

 

Means of Transport to Work/Training/Study  (See chart on page 6)                       98 people claimed to travel to work, training or study by car. [However, some of these recorded themselves as retired/unwaged; perhaps they travelled for purposes of study.] 5 people used a public bus and 3 people walked. Interestingly 5 people used a train in their journey and one person travelled by air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Transport

 

Response to the question ‘How often do you use these travel services for other purposes?’

 

 

     Daily

   Weekly

   Monthly

  Occasionally

 Never

Bus

2

9

2

61

106

Train

0

6

8

81

85

Coach

1

1

1

40

116

Private coach

1

0

0

62

99

 

These figures speak for themselves; regular use (i.e. daily or weekly) of public transport is non-existent for the vast majority of Sampford Courtenay residents making journeys for ‘other purposes’, which might include shopping, going to bank/post office, leisure etc. Occasional use of the train attracts almost as many people as would never use it and we  might assume it would be for journeys starting from Exeter or beyond. Bus and coach travel currently have no apparent appeal for more than 50% of respondents to the question.

 

 

Using a Daily Train Service from Sampford Courtenay Station

 

Responses to the question about travelling by train from the parish railway station were made prior to its reopening in May 2004. [Until such time as there are daily services the answers may be considered to remain largely valid.] In the previous question, the number of people who said they, currently, never use a train was 85; in contrast, only 23 people said they would not be interested in using a daily local service from Sampford Courtenay.

 

We wanted to know how often people would use the train, where they would travel to and - bearing in mind its location in the parish - how they would get to and from the station.

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Only 14 people (out of 202 would-be train users) said they would use the train daily but 145 people would be willing to make occasional train journeys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exeter was clearly the most popular destination.                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is encouraging to note that nearly half of those answering this question would be able to reach the station without the use of a private motor vehicle. However, there could be severe parking problems at the station if all the people who said they would use their car/motor bike were to travel on the train the same day! One person ‘would cycle to SC station, train to Okehampton to use the cycle track to Lydford’.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Alternative Means of Community Transport

94 people thought that a community bus was a good idea but just half that number would join in a subsidised community  taxi scheme or a shared transport scheme. Two persons favoured ‘a car pool’.

 

Taxi Service

63% of respondents never used a taxi in the parish but most of those that used taxis considered the service to be adequate. Regular use, i.e.weekly or even monthly, was minimal and no one used a taxi on a daily basis.

 

Public Transport versus Private Transport

This question was designed to find out how many people would choose to use an efficient  and regular bus and/or train service to go out and about in Devon or whether they would continue to use cars or taxis regardless. There may have been some confusion in answering as some of the 70 people (i.e. 29 %) who would willingly use public transport also gave answers to the benefits of private transport. Some people would use trains but not buses.

 

 

 

The pressures of today’s life styles suggest that cars are essential for getting around quickly and comfortably and for the weekly shopping trips. The most important feature, however, was clearly the ability to travel at any time of the night and day.

 

One comment:

Buses and trains would not get me to work - impractical.

 

 

 

Major Danger Spots on the Roads in the Parish

 

This subject attracted a large number of comments. 65% of people identified danger spots in the parish for all road users; of the remainder half did not answer and half thought there were no problems. [It is worth noting some contrasting comments in the later question on traffic calming.] The speed of traffic was generally considered to be excessive on several sections of parish roads, particularly when approaching road junctions . The following chart shows the worst danger spots:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belstone Corner includes the road junctions on each  side of the railway bridge.

 

Tongue End Cross is the cross roads on the old A30 (the Belstone junction).

 

Access to The Beeches is off the Crediton Road. Visibility on exit is restricted.

 

 

 

Other danger spots mentioned were the Iron Bridge and Beacon Cross on the Crediton Road,  Appledore Hill to Sampford Courtenay station and Brightley Road.

Typical comments included:-

Crossroads at New Inn - significant number of motorists using the main road have no intention of giving way at mini roundabout.

Blind corners on single lane roads - traffic speeds to blame.

The junction approaching SC station turning right to Okehampton is completely blind to traffic on approach over the bridge. No sign at all warning of a concealed entrance coming out onto the main road - an accident waiting to happen for want of a sign.

Main road...past The Beeches - highly dangerous walking on this road...

 

 

 

Support for Speed Control Measures

 

A considerable number of forceful comments were made and a selection appears overleaf.  A 30 mph speed limit at Sampford Courtenay station/Belstone Corner met with the approval of 128 people and 72 people would like to see a speed camera at the cross roads by the New Inn. Traffic calming measures were favoured by rather fewer people; extra road warning signs and sleeping policemen were wanted by around 10% of respondents.

 

30 mph speed limit at Sampford Courtenay station/Belstone Corner

Not 30 mph but 20 mph flashing signs at Sampford station.

 

Speed Cameras

Speed camera on straight road between Belstone Corner and The Countryman pub.

Speed camera  at Sampford Chapple.

 

More Road Warning Signs

Rectory Hill.

Double bends on B3215.

Sampford Courtenay station.

The Beeches.

No more unsightly signs please.

There are more signs concerning traffic round this small village than can usefully be absorbed by drivers - and they detract from the scenery.

 

Sleeping Policemen

Sleeping policemen = noise and more pollution.

Sleeping policemen in the village...essential or individuals will take their own action.

No!! to sleeping policemen in the village.

 

Traffic Calming Measures

Entering and exiting the village.

On A3072 both directions approaching New Inn (roundabout).

The flashing lights do not seem to work as they are too far outside the village to be taken seriously.

Traffic calming in Sampford Courtenay was a waste of tax payers’ money (both times).

There is ample road calming already ! Road calming is more dangerous than nothing. Thank goodness the silly ones have been removed.

 

And finally ... some general comments

B3215 and A3072 should have 50 mph limit overall and 40 mph approaching village and station.

Better enforcement and more ‘soft’ measures to reduce all traffic speeds to return the community to people rather than vehicles as at present.

 No speed control measures needed.

Absolutely definitely NONE of these (speed control measures) . As a car driver I find them all totally abhorrent. Moreover they do no good.

 

Street Lighting

The question of whether there should be more street lighting in the parish seemed not to concern a quarter of respondents who ignored it - perhaps those living in remote places away from settlements. Of those answering, 91% said ‘no’ and one person commented:

This is not suburbia, definitely not needed in rural situations.

Light Pollution

Very few respondents suffered from light pollution but it clearly troubled some people. Street lighting was too bright or considered inappropriate: ‘Ugly “motorway” style street lamps have excessive spread.’ ‘It is never “dark” as there are too many lights in the area.’ There were also comments about security halogen lights on private buildings left on after dark.

 

From a wider perspective one person felt:

The whole sky is polluted from a distance - towns, villages and roads, it is no longer like being in the country, so less lighting is better.

 

 

Housing and Planning

 

We asked what types of housing development would be acceptable (or not) in the parish.

 

30 people indicated they wanted no further housing development; this represents just 12% of those completing the survey.

Conversion of existing buildings, such as barns, was acceptable to more than half of those answering the question.                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 

There was also firm support for single dwellings and those built in the local style, by which we meant ideally of cob and thatch construction.

13% would accept groups of up to 10 properties but very few would favour larger groupings. Since no one wanted as many as 50 dwellings built and/or converted in the parish, it is assumed that people would accept one or two groups at most of 10 or 20 but not several groups. However, this may not necessarily be the case as people may have interpreted ‘up to 50 dwellings’ as meaning ‘groups of...’. 

It was interesting to note that more than 50 people thought there should be provision for low cost housing or sheltered housing. 21 people thought that houses should be provided for single person occupancy. More than 20 people made specific comments, some of which are given below:

 

With more of a choice at a reasonable price there would be more of a chance of younger families living in the village.

Affordable housing for locals and their children.

Single dwellings in hamlets/conservation area only if in local style.

Greater control over planning restrictions of these barns, i.e. keeping to original plans.

If tourism is to be encouraged then most development should be disallowed.

Be careful, it is very easy to become a suburb of Exeter.

The bungalows must be for ‘old’ people. I believe they are not.

 

Local Services

 

Provision of Health Services

 

We asked people if they had problems getting to the health services:

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 


Difficult to get on to the dentists’ books.

Concerned there is now only one dentist in North Tawton, previously two.

Okehampton Hospital - what a joke!

No problems while we have a car.

 

 

Most people had no difficulty in getting to the local health services provided they had the use of a vehicle, were not too elderly and the weather was not bad. The service that came in for the most criticism was the dentist service. Getting appointments at the R.D.& E. Hospital was a problem for one person; for another bus connections there proved difficult.

 

52% of people are registered with a NHS dentist (not necessarily locally), 36% would like to register locally if one were available but the remaining 15% are reckoned to be happy with other arrangements.

 

 

 

Prescription Collection

 

97% of people had no problem collecting prescriptions but the limited opening hours of the North Tawton chemist received some comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parish Services and Facilities

 

We asked if there is a need for various services or facilities, some of which we already have.

 

 

Over 50% of people wanted to keep the village hall and the public toilets; there is some suggestion that not everyone ticked these boxes because these facilities exist already. Litter bins were thought to be necessary (perhaps in lay-bys) and there appears to be a sizeable demand for a village community shop. 58 people would appreciate a doctor’s surgery on a weekly basis. Off-street parking in the village was seen as a need by 81 people.

 

When we asked people whether they would use various services if provided in Sampford Courtenay, the results were  as follows:

 

Service

Yes

No

Not applicable

Benefits advice

26

41

85

Travel information

50

69

32

Local information point

83

55

24

Library facility

95

56

21

Day centre

19

61

71

 

A majority of people would like to have a local information point and a library facility. Other suggestions were: ‘a police contact point/neighbourhood officer’and ‘a citizens advice session’.

 

Shopping

 

We asked questions relating to shopping in North Tawton, Okehampton and elsewhere (including Internet shopping). We thought it was important to find out how far people were prepared to travel for post office and banking facilities as well as shopping for provisions and other goods. 180 people said they usually shopped at Okehampton. North Tawton was the first choice for only a handful of those answering, although 126 shopped there occasionally.

 

 

The following comment may sum up most people’s feelings:

The hill is such chaos and parking difficult. I only go to North Tawton if I have to.

 

There were favourable mentions for newspaper delivery, the fish & chip shop and builders’ merchant. One person commented on the ‘friendly service’. 

 

More range of food in Okehampton.

Okehampton has become untenable with traffic. Exeter is less hassle.

Usually use shopping as an excuse for a day out.

Items in Exeter/Plymouth are a lot cheaper.

 

Several people commented that they shopped in Okehampton because it was closer than North Tawton. However, for most people the main reasons for shopping in Okehampton and/or elsewhere were the wider range of goods, the ease of parking and the availability of their bank. Cost was less important with only 31% giving it as a reason. Some people took Internet shopping to refer to grocery deliveries locally that, currently, are not available.

 

A Shop in Sampford Courtenay?

 

54% thought that a new shop in the village would bring a central focus to community life but most felt that that it would be unable to compete on price. 60 people said they would seldom use a village shop but bearing in mind that - earlier in the survey - 115 people reckoned there was a need for a shop it may be inferred that a majority is in favour. 33 people would only use it in the evening or at weekends. 29% supported the notion that tourists would like it.  

 

Using Local Post Offices

 

Sampford Courtenay has a post office that is open for business every weekday (half-day Thursdays) and offers most of the services available at North Tawton and Okehampton. The question asked people to indicate their use of one or more of the post offices.

 

Not surprisingly, most people used Okehampton PO - doubtless due to the town being the favoured shopping place - but Sampford Courtenay PO was well used, by 28%, for postal services; one person suggested postcards could be sold there. [Not everyone identified which post offices they used and we made some assumptions.]

 

Emergency Services
 

The ambulance and fire services were viewed favourably by those who were able to comment, but 51% of those expressing an opinion about the police felt that the service was poor.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 


The Quality of Health Services locally

 

A small number commented, generally favourably, on district nurse, health visitor, home help and maternity care services but 8 out of 26 respondents thought the chiropody service was poor. The following chart sets out comments on the most used health services:

 

 

96% of those commenting thought that the doctor service was ‘good’ or ‘reasonable’, 59% rating it ‘good’, while the hospital service was rated ‘good’ or ‘reasonable’ by 88% (48% ‘good’). A sizeable minority were dissatisfied with the dental service; rather strangely, 63 people did not know how to rate local dentists (perhaps using a dentist elsewhere or not going to a dentist at all).

 

Religion

 

The local church and chapel were considered important to the respondents as below:

 

As an historic building

174

As a focal point for the community

129

For baptisms, weddings and funerals

127

For worship

106

For other social activities

73

For Sunday school

22

 

These results are in remarkably similar proportions to those in other parishes in our region.

 

Leisure, Sport and Recreation

 

Social Activities

The question about helping and participating in activities may have caused some confusion and we were not looking for a response from those already involved, which appeared to be the case in some instances. 13 people would help to resurrect Britain in Bloom, with 43 prepared to participate. As for new activities there would be support for music, arts and drama, dance and keep fit while cricket produced just enough support to make up a team. A luncheon club would be less popular. 

The following suggestions for activities were received:

Dancing (social/line/country/barn/circle/beginners’ tap); classical music concerts; exhibitions; craft orientated events; DIY club; computer courses for 50+; keep fit (yoga/pilates/thai chi); organised footpath walks; motor cycle club; crib team.

 

Suggestions for sporting activities and facilities included:

Table tennis; fishing; rugby; bowling green; croquet lawn; tennis courts; snooker; skittles; cycling; horse-riding; swimming pool.

 

Taking Part in Activities in the Parish

We asked what our respondents’ reasons were for not taking part:

 

Lack of information....do not get copy of local parish magazine.

Not well publicised. Roundabout sometimes too late with information and Okehampton Times does not give adequate warning.

We live on the boundary with South Tawton parish and we work and support activities there.

Speaking as a ‘younger’ person’ (26-40), activities generally are not in my interest.

Lack of time.

Do not feel accepted in the community thus don’t know too many people.

 

Awareness of Events

The chart below indicates people’s awareness of events. At least 66 people said they were not always aware of events taking place.

 

Children’s Play Area

74 people thought that the play area (on the village green) was good/acceptable. 22 people considered it to be poor and twice that number said it should be improved. Not everyone knew of its existence.

 

 

People with Disabilities and Parents with Pushchairs

We asked the above groups if there were special problems of access in the parish. The following were mentioned:

 

Public toilets

Church toilets

Entry to the church

Church Rooms

Path to church door

Post office steps (SC)

Access to churchyard

Access to village hall

Car parking in road

Main road

Narrow lanes/footpaths

Lack of suitable footpaths

 

 

Information and Local Government

 

Visual  Information

Of those answering the survey 31% thought there should be a visitor information board,

36% thought we should have better notice boards and 51% wanted a parish map.

 

Sources of Information

We asked where people found out about the activities taking place in the parish.                                               

 

 

The parish web site was set up in 2003 but few people access it or seem to know of its existence. Not everyone received Roundabout in time or at all. Some people did not get to see the notice boards in the village and at the bus stop. The pub was a source of information for some. The figures suggest that a few people did not receive any information about activities. Suggestions for improvement were:-

All notices (should) show date of notice and of event year, weekday and time.

 Web site needs to be kept up to date and is not publicised sufficiently.

 

 

Local Government

 

The chart shows whether respondents thought elected representatives in local government were sufficiently aware of local concerns.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                The ‘Don’t Knows’ featured prominently.  A third of those responding were not able to make up their mind about the Parish Council and even more regarding the WDBC and the DCC.

Yet 56% of people appeared to have confidence in the parish councillors’ awareness.

Only 14% felt that the county councillors were aware of our parish and its residents.

 

Well over half of the respondents would welcome more information about the activities of the three councils.

 

 

 

 

Environmental Issues

 

 

WDBC Recycling Boxes

An excellent 72% of households used the recycling boxes every week. Only 11% said they never used them, with 6 people taking recycling items to the Okehampton centre.

Public Rubbish Skip

147 people would use a skip if provided in the parish.

Composting Scheme

62 people would join a composting scheme.

Clothing Bank

95 people would use a clothing bank in the parish.

 

 

 

Countryside Features - How important are they?

There was a good response to environmental issues in the survey. The above chart is listed in order of total responses for each topic, ranging from 218 down to 193. All were considered very important by most people, with streams and rivers receiving an ‘important’ or better rating from 99% of respondents.

 

 

Protection and Improvement of Environment - Is it important?

 

Eliminating pollution, litter and rubbish was clearly the most important issue for everyone who answered this question, followed by the management of hedges for wildlife and protection of Devon banks. Creating community woodlands or nature reserves and restoring old orchards received the least support. Not everyone was sure what some of these issues entailed and there were some comments as to what ‘eliminating pollution’, for example, actually meant.

Environmental Concerns              

 

 

We asked what concerned our parishioners most.                                                                          
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


There were most comments made about hunting, litter, the proposed bio-mass plant at Winkleigh, noise from traffic and low flying aircraft. This is a sample of comments:

Hunting - certainly not, this is the countryside.

Litter on verges particularly main roads - only answer is to remove more frequently.

Exceptionally low aircraft upset the sheep.

Overhead cables in village ruin an otherwise picturesque view up the village street.

Bio-mass plant...concerned about increased traffic flow on surrounding roads.

 

 

Footpaths and Green Lanes

 

We asked how often the public footpaths and green lanes in the parish were used.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                          

                

27 people said they used the footpaths and green lanes daily but 49 people never used them. One person commented ‘There are none in The Beeches area’.

Access to the Countryside

 

The chart below gives respondents’ views on ways to make the countryside in the parish more accessible.

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


135 people would like to have maps of local footpaths; leaflets of walks would also be popular. With the proximity of Dartmoor, it was not surprising that only 22 people thought there should be a right to roam in the parish. Support was strong for reinstating old footpaths, lanes and tracks. More than 50 people would like to have some bridleways. One person commented: ‘When the current footpaths were identified in the mid-20th century a better selection of circular routes could have been chosen.’

 

 

 

How would residents like Sampford Courtenay Parish to develop?

 

 

This question offered the options listed in the chart and many people indicated two or even three choices. Several people combined a working community with staying as it is or as a tourist centre. There were cautionary comments that any development should be gradual. However, there was a wide range of views, of which a selection appears overleaf.

 

Develop as a complete community of all walks and stages of life.

It needs to be a balanced community - more families/children.

The village has farming roots which should be maintained. As a working community plus running of a shop (or two), events and activities; the village would be brought to life, giving people a communal purpose and ultimately a happier, safer place to live in!

Develop...as a working community with lots of small industries as it was in the not too  distant past.

It’s lovely as it is, that’s why we chose to live here.

No more holiday homes.

Develop as a village for locals and newcomers alike. Preferably not a glorified retirement home or dwelling place for Exeter based introverts.

Stay as it is but with a leaning towards tourism.

Tastefully develop if planners can be trusted.

 

 

 

 

Household Section

 

Only 4 households did not consider their home in the parish to be their main residence.

115 homes were owner occupied, 2 were housing association rented and 3 were privately rented. No one answering the survey lived in local authority rented property or property           provided by an employer.

                                                                                                                                                   52 households lived within one mile of Sampford Courtenay cross roads and 40 households were no more than two miles away. 26 homes were more than two miles from the village centre.

 

Energy Saving                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Only 2 households had no energy saving features.  No one used wind power. With many properties built of cob, stone and thatch it was to be expected that insulating features would be less in evidence but double/secondary glazing was present in three quarters of homes.

 

 

Mains Services

 

68% of households were not on mains drainage but all but 10 homes were connected to mains water. Two households had no telephone (i.e. BT land line). No household appeared to be without mains electricity. Gas supplies are available only along the Crediton Road and only 23% of homes are connected in the parish.

 

Mobile Phones

 

81% of households had at least 1 mobile phone in current use and 41% had at least 2.

 

Access to the Internet

 

60% of households had access to the Internet and 35% of them would use Broadband when  available. 12% of homes said they would get connected to the Internet in due course. A few people were concerned at the cost of using Broadband.

 

Digital Television

 

37% of households had converted to digital receivers - ahead of the government’s intention to switch off the analogue signal.

 

Flooding Problems

 

28 households had flooding problems with surface water or storm drainage.

 

Alternative Accommodation

 

7 households said they would, or might, need alternative accommodation within the next five years. One household will need specially adapted housing. One will need sheltered housing and the rest would like owner occupied accommodation.

 

Road Vehicles in the Parish

 

There were 211 roadworthy vehicles kept by those completing the survey. 52% of households had one vehicle for each person but 34% had fewer than one vehicle per person. 12 households had more than one vehicle per person and 5 households kept no road vehicle. One household asked ‘why no question on bicycles or horses?’.

 

 

This concludes the Survey Report but on page 25 you will find the results of the Young People’s Questionnaire and on pages 26 and 27 there are ‘Issues for Further Consideration’.

 

The Young People’s Questionnaire

[We received 16 completed questionnaires from the under 14s.]

 

The schools attended were: North Tawton (2), Exbourne (5), Mount House,Tavistock (2), Shebbear College (1), Okehampton College (3), South Zeal pre-school (1).

 

The chart below shows where the children played in their spare time:

 

The following clubs/activities were mentioned: football, gymnastics, swimming, riding, dog agility, cubs, kempo, ballet, tap dancing, kick boxing, drama, sports club. People went as far afield as Mary Tavy and Crediton. [2 households said the reason their child(ren) could not take part in after-school activities was the distance between home and school.]

 

The children would like in the parish:

Indoor swimming pool.

Art & craft club.

Trampoline club.

Climbing frame/assault course on village green.

A better play area e.g. slides, swings, roundabouts.

 

8 children made local journeys on their bikes but 4 did not and 1 rode a pony.                        9 children did not use the public bus service but 4 did use it.

 

We asked what the under 14s liked about where they lived:

Freedom.

The countryside and fresh air.

Going on bike rides.

Nice people around the village.

Lots of places to play in.

Space, peaceful, lots of room, nice countryside.

....And what they didn’t like:

Nothing.

Not a very good park.

Not enough play equipment on the village green.

A bit isolated.

Big lorries that don’t slow down for my ponies.

Issues for Further Consideration

 

Employment and Education

·        Encouragement of agricultural related industries, small businesses, working from home.

·        Encouraging tourist development.

·        Classes in languages, local history, DIY.

 

Transportation and Highways

·        Reliance on cars for transport to work or study.

·        Public bus usage.

·        Encouraging development of train services to/from Exeter.

·        Car parking at Sampford Courtenay Station.

·        Action on road danger spots.

·        Speed reduction on roads in the parish.

·        Effectiveness of traffic calming measures.

 

Housing and Planning

·        Small scale development only.

·        Conversion of existing buildings.

·        Low cost/affordable housing.

·        Style of architecture.

·        Threat of suburbanisation.

 

     Local Services

·        Availability of NHS dentists.

·        Early appointments at hospitals.

·        Prescription collection.

·        Local information point.

·        Library facility.

·        Preserving public toilets, public phone box, village hall.

·        Future for a local shop and post office.

·        Police coverage of parish.

·        Chiropody service.

·        Litter bins.

·        Neighbourhood Watch, Good Neighbour scheme, Farm Watch.

·        Off street parking.

·        Doctors out-surgery.

 

Leisure, Sport and Recreation

·        New activities needed.

·        Lack of information on activities.

·        Awareness of parish events.

·        Distribution of Roundabout.

·        Play equipment on village green.

·        Disabled access to public buildings.

 

 

     Information and Local Government

·        Parish map.

·        Visitor information board.

·        Clearer information about events.

·        Parish web site.

·        Notice boards.

·        More information on Parish, Borough and County councils.

 

Environmental Issues

·        Public rubbish skip.

·        Tackling pollution, litter and rubbish.

·        Hedgerow management.

·        Speeding traffic.

·        Low flying aircraft.

·        Road surfaces.

·        Wind farms.

·        Damage to banks and verges.

·        Maps and leaflets for footpaths.

·        Reinstating old footpaths.

·        Guided walks.

·        Bridleways.

 

Households

·        Energy saving devices.

·        Mains gas availability.

·        Flooding problems.

·        Alternative accommodation.

·        Broadband.

 

The Future of the Parish

·        Stay as it is or develop as a working community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

The Sampford Courtenay Parish Plan is

                             receiving grant support from theCountryside Agency.