Barkway and Nuthampstead Neighbourhood Plan 2018 - 2031
(11) 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE PURPOSE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
1.1.1 The Barkway and Nuthampstead Neighbourhood Plan (the Plan) will, once adopted, be part of the Statutory Development Plan that will guide the direction of future development in Barkway and Nuthampstead up to 2031. The Localism Act 2011, with effect from April 2012, sets out the provision for communities to produce plans that have statutory weight. Taking part in this plan-making process is an opportunity for communities to have a say about the future growth in their area. The policies contained in the Plan will be used in determining planning applications, will provide guidance for developers and will inspire local residents to enjoy and improve their area.
1.1.2 The Plan is in general conformity with the North Hertfordshire Statutory Development Plan and thereby in accordance with the strategic policies of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan (NHLP), prepared by North Herts Council (NHC). The Submission Local Plan 2011-2031 (the draft Local Plan) was submitted for examination on 9 June 2017, was adopted on 9 November 2022, and will be in force until 2031. The Plan does not deal with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) planning matters such as minerals and waste. The current planning documents that make up the Statutory Development Plan can be found on NHC website and HCC website.
1.1.3 The Plan has been prepared with regard to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2023 and current Planning Practice Guidance. According to paragraph 29 of the NPPF, the Plan should not promote less development than set out in strategic policies for the area or undermine those strategic policies.
1.1.4 The Plan includes a vision for the future, objectives, planning policies and a set of actions, which aim to ensure that Barkway and Nuthampstead will grow sustainably and thrive over time. This means that the Plan provides guidelines for the design and layout of new housing and prevents development that would have a negative impact on the area, while seeking to protect and enhance the environment and to provide facilities that cater for the wellbeing of the community.
1.2 QUALIFYING BODY & NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AREA
1.2.1 Barkway and Nuthampstead are contiguous rural villages situated along and near the B1368 some 20 miles south of Cambridge. Historically they had been one ecclesiastical parish and so it was deemed appropriate (by parishioners of both villages) that it should become a single Neighbourhood Plan Area for the purpose of this Plan. Barkway Parish Council and Nuthampstead Parish Meeting represent the two parish areas in the North Hertfordshire Ermine Ward.
1.2.2 Barkway Parish Council as the relevant body, applied for the designation of the area. The joint Neighbourhood Plan Area was designated by NHC Cabinet on 5 August 2014.
Map of Designated Joint Neighbourhood Plan Area
Figure 1: Designated Neighbourhood Plan Area
1.3 LEGISLATION
1.3.1 While reflecting the aspirations of local communities, Neighbourhood Plans must comply with other local, national and European policies, as required in the Localism Act. Specifically, a Neighbourhood Plan must meet four criteria, named "Basic Conditions" and set out in paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act (1990), as referred to by Section 38A of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004):
- The Plan must have appropriate regard to national policies and advice contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF);
- The Plan must contribute to the achievement of sustainable development;
- The Plan must be in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area of the local planning authority, in this case North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011-2031 (see separate Basic Conditions Statement); and
- The Plan must abide by the relevant EU or equivalent UK regulations.
A separate document has been prepared to demonstrate how the Plan meets these Basic Conditions.
1.4 SUSTAINABILITY
1.4.1 The NPPF, paragraph 11, says that all plans should promote a sustainable pattern of development to meet the needs of their area. This Neighbourhood Plan has carefully considered how this can be achieved in Barkway and Nuthampstead. The first sentence of the Vision for the two villages is that they should continue to thrive and meet the housing needs of all sectors of the community.
1.4.2 Four of the ten OBJECTIVES in paragraph 2.3 specifically refer to sustainability. These relate to housing, the local economy, transport, and health and wellbeing. The remaining six objectives are positive statements supporting sustainable development by preserving heritage, and conserving character and biodiversity, promoting access to the countryside and the option to be educated locally and the sense of community.
1.4.3 The Neighbourhood Plan Policies, which will help achieve these objectives, provide non-strategic guidance on how sustainability can be achieved in the Neighbourhood Plan area.
1.5 PROCESS OF PREPARING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
1.5.1 On 28th November 2013 the Parish Council of Barkway, along with representatives of the Parish Meeting of Nuthampstead, held a well-publicised meeting where the principles of forming a Plan were set out and the option for joining together Barkway and Nuthampstead as one were put forward. The relevant aspects of the Localism Act were explained.
1.5.2 Following consultation with the community during 2014-2015, a draft Pre-submission Plan was submitted under Regulation 14. However, some issues were raised with the document by North Herts Council and Barkway Parish Council were advised to wait until the North Hertfordshire Local Plan (NHLP) was adopted. This took until 9 November 2022.
1.5.3 In the autumn of 2018, following the issue of a draft Local Plan, the Parish Council of Barkway decided to create a new Plan, taking into account new circumstances.
1.6 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
1st Community engagement in 2014
1.6.1 Barkway Parish Council and Nuthampstead Parish Meeting formed a team, led by a member of Barkway Parish Council, to initiate the project. It comprised persons of a variety of ages, stages and situations in life, some of whom could contribute time and energy to the project and some who were occasional volunteers.
1.6.2 The following public consultation was carried out in 2014:
- A survey from May-July 2014 which took the form of a questionnaire delivered to every residence in Barkway and Nuthampstead with a wide range of questions relating to housing, traffic, wellbeing etc.
- Presentation of the results of the questionnaire in a well-publicised open meeting on 23rd October 2014 with the opportunity for comments and questions from the floor
- Regular updates on the survey and Plan progress at monthly parish council meetings, and the creation of a focus group of young families to obtain their feedback.
2nd Community engagement process in 2019
1.6.3 To supplement the information gathered in 2014, regular updates on the Plan at monthly parish council meetings and the following consultation was carried out in 2019:
- A public meeting on 7th February 2019 to explain the reason for re-starting the neighbourhood plan process and to allow residents to ask questions about the planning process
- A housing needs survey conducted by CDA Herts during March/April 2019
- A public meeting on 29th May 2019 to obtain feedback on the draft vision and objectives
- A public meeting on 21st September 2019 to obtain feedback on local green spaces, important views and other draft policies.
Regulation 14 Pre-submission Consultation
1.6.4 The Regulation 14 Consultation was carried out at the end of 2020.
1.6.5 Full details of the consultation carried out for the Plan can be found in the Barkway and Nuthampstead Consultation Statement.
1.6.6 The extended delay between Regulation 14 and the submission of the Neighbourhood Plan was due to the long wait for the adoption of NHLP followed by awaiting the outcome of the outline planning application on NHLP site allocation BK3.
1.7 LOCATION AND MAIN FEATURES
1.7.1 Barkway and Nuthampstead are contiguous rural villages situated along and near the B1368 at an approximately equal distance (4 miles) from the town of Royston to the north and Buntingford to the south. The B1368, which runs parallel to the A10 and passes through Barkway, allows access to London and Cambridge. To the north of Barkway lies the hamlet of Newsells (included within the boundary of the parish).
1.8 BASIC STATISTICS
1.8.1 The statistics below were obtained from the Nomis Official Labour Market Statistics website and were based on the 2011 census data. These are supplemented, where available, with 2021 census data from the ONS custom area profiles shown in brackets (2021).
Resident population
1.8.2 In 2011 (2021) census data shows that there were 775 (850) usual residents in Barkway living in 315 (370) households. 27.9% (23.3%) of residents were aged 24 or under and 18.3% (23.9%) were 65 or older. For Nuthampstead there were 142 (140) residents living in 52 (50) households; 29.5% (29.8%) aged 24 or under and 19% (19.1%) were 65 or older.
1.8.3 The comparison of the census figures shows that the population in Nuthampstead has remained the same, whereas Barkway has grown. This is understandable as Barkway is a designated village with a development boundary. What is interesting is that the age profile of Barkway has changed with an ageing population. There has been a 5.6% increase in residents aged 65 or over.
Dwelling types
1.8.4 In 2011, Barkway contained approximately 329 dwellings, 14 of which had no usual residents. 42.2% of these dwellings were detached houses or bungalows, 32.8% were semi-detached houses, 19.8% were terraced houses, 3.3% were purpose-built block of flats or tenements, 0.6% of these dwellings were part-converted or shared houses (including bed-sits) and 1.2% were flats, maisonettes or apartments located in a commercial building. Nuthampstead contained 52 dwellings, 76.9% of which were detached, 15.4% semi-detached, 5.8% terraced and 1.9% flats. No 2021 census comparison is currently available.
Tenure
1.8.5 In 2011 (2021) 67.6% (72.6%) of Barkway's homes were owner-occupied or shared ownership, 12.4% (10.8%) were social rented and 12.1% (16.6%) were private rented. Of the 52 households in Nuthampstead, 92.3% (88.5%) were owner-occupied, 7.7% (5.8%) were private rented or rent free. In 2021 5.8% of homes were social rented.
Car Ownership
1.8.6 According to the 2011 (2021) census, 6.3% (6.9%) of households had no car, 29.5% (30.0%) of households in Barkway had one car, 45.7% (39.7%) of households had 2 cars, 18.4% (23.4%) of households had 3 or more cars. For Nuthampstead, all households had at least one car in 2011 but 5.8% had no car in 2021, 21.2% (26.9%) of households had 1 car, 46.2% (34.6%) had 2 cars, 32.7% (32.7%) had 3 cars or more cars.
1.8.7 Car ownership in Barkway has shifted with households with 2 cars decreasing while households with 3 or more cars increasing. In Nuthampstead, there are now households with no car, more households have 1 car and fewer households have two cars.
Employment
1.8.8 In 2011 (2021), Barkway had an above average employment rate, with some 17% being self-employed, compared with only 9.8% nationally. 7.5% worked from home compared with 3.5% nationally. In 2011 (2021), 73.3% (62.5%) of people between the ages of 16 and 74 were economically active. 67.6 % of residents between the ages of 16 and 74 were in employment, 2.3% were unemployed and 3.4% were full-time students. Of those who were economically inactive, retired people made up 16.6% of all residents aged 16 to 74 with others (e.g. the long-term sick or disabled) making up 10%.
1.8.9 For Nuthampstead, in 2011 (2021), 74.8% (58.3%) of people between the ages of 16 and 74 were economically active. 68% of residents between the ages of 16 and 74 were in employment of which 23.3% were self-employed and 5.8% were full-time students; only 1% were unemployed. Of those who were economically inactive, 11.7% of all residents aged 16 to 74 were retired, with others (e.g. the long-term sick or disabled) making up 13.6%.
1.8.10 This is a relatively prosperous community compared with both the whole of the UK and with the county of Hertfordshire. Overall, the households are considered to be in the top 30% of the most affluent nationwide, and child wellbeing is considered to be in the top 40%. Barkway is also in the top fifth in avoiding poor health and disability. The dramatic change in Nuthampstead in the percentage of economically active residents and a slightly less dramatic change in Barkway, is unexplained.
Industry
1.8.11 Homeworking is an important feature of the employment picture in 2011 (2021) with 23% (48.5%) of Nuthampstead residents and 17% (41.8%) of Barkway residents working from home. These figures may be artificially high due to the Covid 19 epidemic.
1.8.12 The largest local employer is an equestrian business, Newsells Park Stud. 15.3% of residents in Barkway in employment worked in the wholesale and retail sector, 12.5% in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector, 10.7 % in the human health and social work activities sector, 9.7% in the manufacturing sector, 8.1% in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 7.4% in construction and 6.9% in education. There is currently no comparative data available for this indicator.
Method of Travel to Work
1.8.13 Data on travel to work for the 2021 census is available for both Barkway and Nuthampstead. Of those travelling to work, over 80% travelled by car (either driving or as a passenger) in Barkway and Nuthampstead. Less than 2% travelled to work by public transport. Again, these figures would have been skewed by the Covid 19 epidemic.
1.9 BARKWAY AND NUTHAMPSTEAD TODAY, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
1.9.1 Village life in Barkway has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. We have seen a loss of facilities such as shops, pubs, etc. and there has been an increase in the number of houses. We saw the loss of Wheatsheaf Meadow House which provided sheltered housing for older people. There is now no accommodation in Barkway and Nuthampstead specifically tailored to meet the needs of older people. Newsells Park has flourished and grown into an extremely successful business, whilst businesses like Star Instruments have met a sad demise.
Figure 2: Aerial Image of Barkway
1.9.2 Feedback from residents in the 2014 survey and consultation in 2019 mentioned a variety of issues, including the lack of a village shop, lack of parking provision, traffic issues (i.e. noise pollution, congestion, traffic speeding, heavy lorries passing through the village), isolated pubs, inadequate broadband speeds, lack of public transport especially in the evenings, poor drainage in Newsells village and insufficient safe footpaths in some areas. There was concern about potential housing development being unsustainable because of the lack of supporting infrastructure and public transport.
1.9.3 Barkway has a range of facilities and community groups. The church and chapel remain active, and the village hall, social club, pavilion, Reading Room and Cokenach Cricket Club all continue to provide facilities for use by the villagers and visitors, and the Barkway Community Group regularly organises social outings. Despite having no village football team of our own, the football pitches on the recreational area are in high demand from neighbouring villages. The last pub in the village, The Tally Ho, continues to trade in a time when village pubs are closing at an ever-increasing rate. Nuthampstead has more limited facilities, but The Woodman Inn is an important asset, and the shooting ground provides expert support for clay pigeon shooting, while fishing, dog training and model aircraft flying are regular activities on the airfield. The Nuthampstead Parish Meeting has held Annual Meetings in the converted parlour at Bury Farm.
1.9.4 Whilst Barkway has several relatively under-utilised buildings available to the community, community resources in terms of volunteers available to support current activities are generally under pressure, with a number of older residents wishing to hand over volunteering roles in the foreseeable future, but not finding younger people coming through to take over. A relatively small cadre of residents are involved in running several community facilities. The ability to support new activities through volunteers is perceived to be limited. The possibility of creating new capacity through partnerships with public, voluntary sector and social enterprise organisations is being explored through the continued development of a fixed community hub. Locally based employment opportunities in Barkway are somewhat restricted.
1.9.5 Barley and Barkway VA Church of England First Schools Federation provides our children with a good primary education; however, the school is having to turn away children at nursery and reception ages because there are only 15 places per year for each of these age groups. Major redevelopment of the Barkway school buildings is required to provide 25 places for nursery and reception and to bring the teaching and learning environment up to modern standards.
1.9.6 Village life in Nuthampstead has not changed as dramatically as in Barkway over the last 30 years. There has been little property development with some 4 new builds and a similar number of redevelopments such as the decommissioned mission hut being converted into a private dwelling. There are no street lights, no pavements, the roads are narrow in places, there is no mains gas or sewerage. The only public transport is the HertsLynx service that calls at The Woodman Inn at prior request.
1.9.7 Traffic movements in Nuthampstead have increased with private car ownership as well as commercial vehicles serving the two small industrial estates, Caylers Farm and The Woodman Inn, the latter of which remains the main focal point of this pleasant, quiet countryside village.
Figure 3: Bell Lane
1.9.8 As well as tackling these local challenges, the policies developed in the Plan are an opportunity to address broad-ranging challenges centring on the environment, sustainability, health and wellbeing for the whole of the community.
1.9.9 Following discussion with the Public Health Service of Hertfordshire County Council, health and wellbeing have been incorporated into the objectives and policies supporting the Plan. There is a focus on initial specific deliverables including:
Creating an intergenerational community garden as part of the community hub with the public health benefits of promoting healthy eating for all age groups; making the link for children between growing and eating food; tackling obesity through good food and exercise and preventing social isolation.
Seeking designation as dementia friendly villages (see Appendix O– Action Plan), supporting people with dementia through homes for life design principles including smart technology and creating a social space and support through the continuing development of the community hub. Public Health statistics suggest that there are likely to be at least 12 people with dementia in Barkway and Nuthampstead.
Around 8% of people are identified as being in fuel poverty in Ermine Ward as a whole. Policies on housing design in this Plan aim to tackle fuel poverty and ill-health associated with cold at the same time as promoting environmentally sustainable approaches to heating homes.
