Wallington Neighbourhood Plan 2022 - 2031 Submission Version June 2023

3 vision and objectives

Considerations for Wallington

3.1 Appendix A provides a profile of the parish with data drawn from the 2011 census and, where possible, the 2021 census.

3.2 In 2021 Wallington village residents were invited to take part in a Local Green Spaces and Conservation Study, and a Local Housing Survey. The Survey sought to identify what, in the view of the village's residents, were its most valued features and any opportunities for improvement and was seen as an important component of the neighbourhood plan's evolution. The Housing Survey was limited to one response per household and had 26 respondents, which represents 43% of households within the central plan area. The survey design asked residents to give quantifiable answers regarding the suitability, or necessity, of each housing option, whilst deliberately not compelling them to make an alternative choice between options. Quantification and conclusions should be viewed with this in mind. This approach was designed to provide respondents with more options and flexibility, encouraging inclusivity and engagement. The key points from the Survey provide an excellent base to introduce the Neighbourhood Plan Vision and Objectives:

Surroundings and tranquillity

3.3 In the opinion of Survey respondents, the most valued features of the village are its rural setting followed jointly by the peace and quiet and rural walks, footpaths and bridleways. These three features were highlighted as very important to the character of the village by 96% and 88.6% of respondents respectively.

3.4 The village retains an unusually green and open character due to its small scale, low density of housing and open views to surrounding countryside. This proportion of green spaces within the village was considered important by 96% of survey respondents. Local walks, footpaths and bridleways are also highly valued but remain quiet and uncongested, supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna. The low levels of traffic and lack of street lighting were cited by many as worth safeguarding.

3.5 Most of the village has designated Conservation status and additionally several significant spaces within it are designated as Significant Green Spaces within the Conservation Area Statement. Such designations are a fundamental in protecting the tranquillity of the village overall.

New housing

3.6 The Housing Survey asked residents about the nature of any new development over the coming fifteen years which they felt would be reasonable. The responses are summarised below.

3.7 Number: The Survey asked how many new houses respondents felt would be reasonable. 50% of respondents felt that between 6 and 10 new dwellings would be reasonable and 31% responded that 5 houses or less would be reasonable. Combining these two with the 8% who though that no new housing should be built, the majority of respondents (81%) feel that the number of new properties should not exceed 10. This equates to an increase of 16% of the current housing stock of Wallington.

3.8 Location: The Survey also asked where any development should be located. On this point there was a strong consensus with 80% of respondents believing that the conversion or replacement of existing buildings such as redundant farm buildings within the village was potentially suitable. A substantial portion of the land within the village is occupied by redundant farm buildings (Manor and Bury Farmyards) which, if developed, would provide more than enough space for up to ten new properties which is commensurate with the number identified in the survey.

3.9 Type: One of the key issues for respondents to the Survey was the shortage of more affordable and smaller homes within the village. Smaller homes are popular amongst people wishing to downsize as well as those looking to move in with a starter home. 57% of respondents felt that the village should prioritise more affordable housing. There was commensurate support for smaller houses of one, two or three bedrooms (69% support for 2 bedrooms, 45% for one-bedroom and 81% for three-bedroom houses). In terms of housing type, the response was more mixed with support for semi-detached (87%), terraced cottage (66%) and detached houses (62%). A lack of affordable housing and high levels of under-occupancy are not uncommon within rural villages. Wallington has a high proportion of long-term residents. 44% of village households have resided within it for more than thirty years. Although some existing properties have been improved and extended housing supply is very limited with no new residences built this century. Turnover of owner-occupied properties is low with only nine transactions in the last decade. Such factors directly influence house prices which are higher than those of neighbouring higher density residential areas such as Baldock and can be a limiting factor for people looking to move in.

3.10 Tenure: The central village has two rented social housing homes and a relatively high proportion of privately rented accommodation, accounting for 13 homes in total or 24% of the 54 homes within the built core: 10 of the 13 are rented by the major landowner. Including Bygrave Lodge Farm area, private rentals increase to 16. The Survey identified broad support for either owner occupied (69% of respondents said "definitely suitable") or rental properties (48% said "definitely suitable"). Private rental could represent an opportunity for lower cost entry into the village.

3.11 Style: The Survey asked what style any new buildings should be and the preferred options were those which echoed existing local buildings, both traditional local rural styles (77% support).

Residents' age profile

3.12 Many smaller rural villages have an older than average population. Nationally, 30% of residents within areas categorised as "Rural and Dispersed in a sparse setting" are aged 65 and over (Source: Statistical Digest of Rural England, Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, 29th October 2021). There are a number of factors which contribute to this nationally including a) a lack of family-friendly facilities like schools, social and leisure facilities and entertainment; b) a lack of affordable starter homes.

3.13 Wallington also has an older than average population and this may be reflected in the support among Survey respondents for bungalows (54% of respondents said "definitely or possibly needed") and more accessible housing for down-sizing (49% respondents). 40% of respondents expect to downsize over the coming fifteen years and 12% of respondents expect to move to retirement homes in the coming fifteen years.

3.14 There is a strong desire among residents to see more children and families within the village with 61% of respondents prioritising this need. The desire to attract young families to the village may have influenced the view that 3-bedroom houses are the preferred size (81% saying "definitely or possibly needed"), and semi-detached houses the preferred size (87% said "definitely or possibly needed").

3.15 Although there are only two families that have had children in the village, it is encouraging to note that in the period since the 2011 census, four of the nine owner-occupied properties to change hands were sold to families with children. Including property transactions soon to complete and tenants, the village expects to have about fifteen children, representing 19% of the number of households in the village core.

Local services

3.16 68% of Survey respondents believed that improved local services are needed. This was the most common response to the question of what would make Wallington better. There are several points to note here:

• Public transport - the lack of public transport has been an obstacle for elderly and young adult residents. However, the recently launched HertsLynx on-demand bus service may go some way to alleviate this issue should the existing pilot scheme move to a permanent service.
• Drainage - poor drainage of surface water within and around the village after periods of heavy rainfall causes significant concern and disruption on a regular basis. Roads flood, underground pipes and roadside drains block and roadside ditches overflow despite regular cleaning. This impacts domestic drains and sewage systems that suffer similar problems.
• Electricity - mains electricity is supplied to all residential and public buildings. Being at the end of a distribution line the village is more susceptible to power cuts than some other areas. It is the only service provided to the church; in the listings of other services below none of these applies to the church.
• Water - mains water is available to all properties
• Sewage - mains sewage is supplied to most properties. Of the remainder, some chose not to be connected when mains sewage came to the village, others were not offered connection as they were too far from the sewers installed. These properties have septic tanks.
• Gas - there is no mains gas in the village. A few properties have calor gas tanks for central heating, a few have bottled gas for cooking.
• Oil (kerosene) - most properties use kerosene for central heating, held in oil tanks. See discussion below on heating.
• Telephone Fibre - fibre to the premises (fttp) is available for all properties although not all may be connected. This can provide both telephone and broadband connectivity. When there is a power cut these services are not available.
• Telephone copper - a few properties still have a copper wire connection to the exchange; this connection still works when there is a power cut. This facility is likely to be withdrawn within the timescale covered by the plan.
• Mobile telephone - the mobile telephone reception in the village is very poor, especially at the north end of the village. Smart phones with wifi calling help to mitigate some of the problems but see the discussion below on mobile signals.

3.17 These issues should be factored into consideration of the feasibility and impact of any development plans.

Road traffic

3.18 New residential or, in particular, commercial developments are likely to bring greater volumes of traffic within the village and this was the number one concern of Survey respondents with respect to road traffic. A further 23% of Survey respondents felt that improvements to car parking are required. Roads within, to and from the village are all single carriageway in part and the only pedestrian pavement is outside one property, The Plough. They are regularly used by heavy farm equipment, although the volume of such has decreased in recent years as a consequence of much farm operations being transferred to Bygrave Lodge Farm, and as a 'short-cut' when the nearby A505 is closed. The main street in the village is a dead end to the North and parked vehicles can block streets off entirely. The speed limit within the village has recently been reduced to 20 miles per hour but traffic volumes, speed and flow clearly remain high priorities for residents. This must be factored into consideration of the feasibility and impact of any development plans.

Local businesses

3.19 In response to the Survey's questioning what kind of business units might be suitable within the village, respondents had a clear preference for Artisan Workshops (77% support). 44% of respondents believed that Rentable Shared Office and Meeting Space might also be suitable.

Sense of community and social events

3.20 Respondents to the Survey demonstrated that the village's Supportive Sense of Community and its Community and Social Events are among its most appreciated features (100% and 88% of respondents respectively said "very or fairly important"). The Village has few facilities for community events but those it does have are highly valued and well used.

3.21 Most events take place at the Village Hall which is rented out for children's parties, coffee mornings, group fitness activities and hobbies. It also hosts a monthly Pub Night in which residents rotate Publican duties. There are regular screenings of film nights and major sporting or social events using the Hall's modern multimedia system. The Hall also has an adjoining garden and playground area that is used for community BBQs in the summer with the playground used by the children and grandchildren of both residents and non-residents alike. Some of these activities were curtailed during Covid-19 related restrictions but have since resumed.

3.22 In the heart of the village is Manor Farmyard, which is acknowledged as a setting for George Orwell's famous work, 'Animal Farm'. Manor Barn plays host to an annual Barn Dance/ Band Night which attracts people from all around.

3.23 To the South is the village Well Pond, a tranquil, historic area, the home of the spring whose water supply created the conditions for early settlers to live in Wallington and which was bordered with a brick enclosure by the Victorians. It offers seating for walkers (and others) to sit enjoy a picnic and the wildlife. Nearby St Mary's Church provides another focal point for walkers and other visitors as well as being a regular place of worship. The Church is home to a George Orwell display and attracts many visitors as the location of Orwell's first wedding. It has an active bell-ringing group, hosts events such as the most recent village fete and coffee mornings and has some interesting historical features such as the original craftsmen's insignia in the stonework. Some villagers are active cricketers, and although there are no suitable facilities in the parish itself, the Sandon Sports Club in the adjacent parish includes the Cricket Club and Pavilion which serves Sandon, Rushden and Wallington.

Vision for the Neighbourhood Plan

3.24 In consultation with the community, the vision for Wallington up to 2031 is:

Neighbourhood Plan Objectives