Welcombe
Parish Plan
Welcombe Parish Plan 2005
This
plan is based on contributions from the local community who have assisted
with their views, comments, photographs and plans.
It has depended
on support from 
:-
THE PLAN'S PURPOSE AND CONTEXT
The Brief. Parish Plans were launched in the Rural White Paper 2000 and set a framework for communities to plan their own futures. Their purpose is to highlight key services, set out problems that need to be tackled and show how valued local features and the area's distinctive character might be protected. They may embrace, social, economic and environmental issues and must be consistent with local planning policy and strategic partnerships. This plan seeks to anticipate the next generation (25 years), but given the fast changing environmental, economic and social context, sets targets for the next five years (to 2010) and proposes an annual review to assess progress.
The Approach. A major community consultation exercise was conducted throughout the parish in 2003-04, with an extensive questionnaire survey of residents' views and aspirations. Various topic groups then discussed the main findings and prepared their recommendations. On this basis, an initial working draft of the plan was prepared in January 2005. It reflected the main requirements of the Countryside Agency (Parish Plans CA122 March 2003) and the current planning/legal framework. The first draft was the subject of further consultation throughout the local community during February, including a display at the village hall in February 2005. Various comments were then included in an updated consultation draft prepared in April. This sought to summarise the current position with regard to the strategies for both the village hall and the village post office/shop, with the addition of illustrations and a map of the parish to highlight issues raised in the text. The main statutory agencies and interested groups were then invited to comment and the plan was published in July 2005.
Content.
The parish plan for Welcombe and its wider community begins by highlighting
the important features within its boundaries, so that those without a full
knowledge of the area's natural and human heritage may appreciate its qualities
and character. It then refers briefly to the planning background, in order
to highlight policies and guidance affecting the area. The next section deals
with the questionnaires and working groups that have provided the foundation
for the plan and the seven sections that follow cover different topics in
turn. Each summarises the key issues and then sets out specific targets as
a series of bullet points. The plan concludes by giving more detail about
the village hall and shop initiatives and then finally listing the current
priorities over the five year timeframe.
PROFILE OF WELCOMBE PARISH
Area and Origins. Our rural parish lies just within the north western boundary of Devon. It covers 724 hectares (1789 acres), extending three miles west to east from the coast to the A39 and at most 1 mile in wide north to south, narrowing towards the coast and the A39 respectively. Marsland Water to the south forms the boundary with Cornwall and Knap Water to the north defines that with the much larger Hartland Parish. W.G.Hoskins (Devon 1954 1st ed.) notes that ... Welcombe means 'spring valley', the spring being in all probability St.Nectan's Well or Holy Well, near the church, which is dedicated to the same saint. There is no doubt that the C6 Irish missionary-saint walked these hills and valleys in North West Devon. Welcombe was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), where the inventory included nine ploughs (equivalent to 576 acres) and a league of woodland (extending over 1.5 miles). The Barton was present at this time and the current building is the oldest in the village, dating from about 1350. Hoskins also records that ... Hawker the Cornish poet and antiquary was curate here for 30 years and held the living in conjunction with Morwenstow from 1851 ... The coastal scenery is wild and impressive.
PLAN OF
WELCOMBE
CONTEXT
Diagonal shading = Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Dotted lines = Public Rights of Way
A
St.Nectans Church
B Village Hall
C Millenium Wood
D St.Nectans Well
E
Welcombe Mouth Car Park
F The Yarner Trust at Welcombe Barton
G Welcombe Pottery
H Old Smithy Inn
Settlement and Population. There is no nucleated centre within the parish, rather a collection of scattered hamlets recorded in the 1851 census as Upcott, Henaford Down, Linton, Tredown, Welcombe Town, Mead, Leddon and Darracott, together with Hollacombe and Welcombe Cross to the east. The more northerly hamlets of Southole, Cranham and Golden Park lie within Hartland Parish although they look to Welcombe for many contacts and are regarded as part of the parish community. There are 87 households with a total of about 200 residents, together with 22 holiday homes. The current population is little different to that in 1801 or according to Ian Hawes to the total in Domesday Book (1086). It has however, fluctuated considerably in recent times from a peak of 292 in 1841 to a trough of 117 in 1961. The biggest changes have been in the number of households, which have increased considerably and the profile of those households. In 1841 there were 137 children, nearly half the total and this pattern continued through the C19, whereas in 2000 there were 30 children from a total of 170. The conversion of farm and outbuildings and division of existing holdings has seen a rise in the total number of units. Very recently there has been a small and very welcome increase in the number of young children, although only about 12% of the total are under 21. The largest age grouping is 51-65 (38%) followed by 36-50 (21%).
Community Facilities. The primary school was constructed in 1886 and continued until closure in 1947. Mains water and electricity arrived in the early 1960s and the parish council was formed in 1968. There is a pub (re-opened in 2004 after a three year closure), a thriving church, firm plans to re-open the shop/post office and a well used village hall, which is in need of considerable repair and/or re-building. Welcombe has its own food co-operative, which arranges deliveries of organic and other foods plus sundries on a monthly basis from Essential Trading in Bristol. Weekly organic vegetable boxes prepared by Holsworthy Organics are available from The Yarner Trust at the Barton. The main features of the village are illustrated described and illustrated below and overleaf.
St.Nectan's
Church.
Hoskins records that ... St.Nectan's Chapel was one of the many medieval
chapels in the vast parish of Hartland. It lies in unspoiled country, altogether
Cornish in appearance and feeling, with views down the combes to the Atlantic.
Welcombe was raised to parochial status in 1508, when the church was enlarged
by the addition of the N. and S. transepts. The square-headed screen (early
C14) is of unique interest. It is, except for its cornice (which is later
and much resembles that at Hartland) by far the earliest remaining screen
in Devon. The lectern is Jacobean and the pulpit restored Tudor. The
church was 'restored' in 1883-84 and a vestry added in 1911. The tower contains
six bells, four cast in 1731.
Village
Hall. Formerly the village school, the hall was extended by local
volunteers in 1983 and again in 1989 to provide more storage and a skittle
alley. Regular use includes the over 60s lunch club, entertainment events
with bar and supper, parties, coffee mornings and cream teas; projected use
extends to receptions, conferences, coffee bar and groups hiring for week-ends.
The current maximum number covered by the licence is 120. A number of improvements
have been identified to meet current and projected demands and comply fully
with statutory regulations. Only a more radical solution involving a significant
new build element, can meet this agenda.
The Old
Smithy Inn. 
The
smithy was located in what is now the pottery and the blacksmith's dwelling
was part of what is now the pub. In between times it was a small shop and
cafe until sold in 1961, when it became first a guesthouse and then a restaurant
and pub. It was re-opened under new management at Easter 2004 and is now a
warm and attractive venue for drinks, snacks and meals and there are plans
for a restaurant as well. The pub provides employment for local people, particularly
those in the younger age groups and hosts a regular round of discos, musical
evenings and quizzes.
Post
Office and Shop. This has been a feature of the parish throughout
living memory, although the location has varied - 'Avalon', 'Star Cottage'
No.2 Darracott, Leddon Farm and, until earlier this year, Leddon Cottage.
It has thus always been run from a residential property and such arrangement
is now less likely to be tenable long-term. The most recent shop and post
office closed in March 2005 and the parish has begun the process of reviving
this vital service as a community run facility. A steering group has been
established, fund raising has commenced and a business plan has been prepared.
The nearest urban
centres are Bideford 18 miles to the east and Bude 13 miles to the south,
whilst the large village of Hartland with doctor's surgery, food shops and
garages lies 9 miles to the north. Bradworthy village 8 miles inland to the
east provides a similar range of services, plus two veterinary practices and
furniture stores. There are swimming pools in Bude, Bideford and Holsworthy.y.
Landscape, Land Use and Access.
Whilst
the coastal belt within the parish is relatively narrow, it includes the two
paths down to beaches at Marsland Mouth and Welcombe Mouth respectively. These
areas also contain the main concentration of 'open country' on the Countryside
Agency's conclusive map. The bay extends south to Marsland Cliff (in Cornwall)
which projects out to sea as Gull Rock and north to Knap Head (in Hartland
Parish) which continues westwards into the sea as Chisel Ridge. 
The
rib and gutter pattern and the diverse folds in the exposed bedding planes
are characteristic features of the area. The valleys formed by the two streams
that define the northern and southern boundaries of the parish are very well
wooded with significant tree cover over the entire length (3 miles). 
This
woody vegetation combined with the many hedgebanks defining relatively small
fields creates a rich and varied tapestry, with little human intrusion beyond
the small settlement clusters and individual farmsteads. Welcombe lies wholly
within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (which focuses on
the coastal belt and extends inland to the A39).
Land within the parish is largely in agricultural use and whilst pasture predominates,
there is increasing farm diversification into alternative enterprises to avoid
relying solely on livestock. The parish contains a short section of the South
West Coast Path plus a very good network of public footpaths, bridleways and
byways, which link with others on the Cornish side of the Marsland valley.
Wildlife. 
There
is a considerable diversity of fauna and flora due to the extensive and contrasting
habitats which range from the coastal margins, to the wooded coombes and the
small fields on the higher ground that are often enclosed by hedgebanks. The
coast to the west and the wooded coombe to the south form part of the Marsland
to Clovelly Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Special
Area of Conservation (SAC). It includes the Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) Welcombe
and Marsland Nature Reserve, together with smaller landholdings. The reserve
was purchased in small sections by Christopher Cadbury in the 1960's; the
management was taken over by DWT in 1997 and ownership was transferred in
July 2004. The reserve extends several kilometres inland and contains a great
diversity of habitats - wooded steep-sided valleys, maritime heath and grassland
meadows, bracken covered slopes, small streams and ponds. Most of the hedges
along the lanes in the parish could be classified as species-rich, with an
average of six woody species in a 30m length. The Welcombe Millennium Wood
has been established in the centre of the parish with the aid of the Woodland
Trust. It surrounds the village hall and is an open access area (Wood on Your
Doorstep) with a permissive path running through it. There are regular conservation
work days on some of the important habitats within the parish when mainly
local residents assist DWT and other conservation agencies in conserving and
where possible enhancing their value.
Education. Many parents' choice of schools is determined by the transport provided, namely mini-buses to Hartland Primary School in Devon and Budehaven Secondary School in Cornwall, as well as to North Devon College in Barnstaple for post 16 students. Unusually, the available transport means a change of education authority at age eleven. There is also a pre-school and an independent secondary school - The Small School - in Hartland. Some parents now choose to drive the younger children to Morwenstow Primary School, whilst others take the private sector options in Bideford at Grenville or Edgehill Colleges.
Cultural
and Social Life.
The
village has a rich and varied social life, centred very much on the village
hall, and takes full advantage of the programmes prepared each year by Beaford
Arts; these offer a range of events and exhibitions to communities in North
Devon, including family theatre, cabaret and comedy, film, mixed media and
music.
St.Nectans Church
Fete takes place in August each year in Bell Park behind the church and the
horticultural society organises an annual summer show in the village hall.
There is a Woman's Institute (combined with Meddon), skittles teams, keep
fit and yoga classes, older peoples' lunch club, horticultural society, historical
society, spinning and sewing groups and a book club, plus regular social events
in the village hall. The mobile library calls every other Wednesday afternoon
at three locations in the parish. The relative isolation of Welcombe fosters
a strong community spirit with high participation in village events and projects,
such as the fascinating Millennium Book (a record of the inhabitants at the
turn of the century) to which almost the entire community contributed. The
parish newsletter is an excellent and valued publication produced bimonthly
on a voluntary basis through the auspices of the church and distributed free
of charge to all properties.
Yarner Trust. The Yarner Trust is a registered charity formed in 1978 and based at The Barton, a medieval farmhouse with outbuildings and 4 acres of land. It is dedicated to the ideal of living in harmony with the environment and offers education, training and practical experience in the skills of self-reliance, organic food production, creative arts and sustainable living. In 1993 Well Farm to the west, a working organic smallholding with a further 3 acres, was bequeathed to the Trust. Spinning and Stitching Groups meet at the Barton on a weekly basis and there is a monthly meeting of a willow weaving group; it is also the venue for the Historical Society. Funding from the Heritage Lottery has supported The Bakehouse Project to introduce rural skills to the younger generation. The Trust also organise an annual environmental holiday week during the school summer holidays. It employs three local people and encourages local artists by offering exhibition space and tutoring roles to local artists.
Employment. Only 100 years ago, virtually every resident worked on the land, whereas relatively few are now employed in traditional farming enterprises. Hotels have been and gone, the shop and post office has occupied at least five different sites and the pub and pottery have been established within the last 30 - 40 years. Occupations as diverse as egg, worm, herb and charcoal production highlight the innovation and flexibility required in such an isolated community. Widespread availability of the internet in recent times has transformed people’s ability to engage in complex, knowledge based employment from this remote location. This has already had an impact by allowing some families, who might otherwise have had to live in a more urban location, to move into the village and live here all year round. The main employment opportunities other than farming are tourism (c.120 beds locally), building repair and renovation and a range of professional skills based on the internet and home-working. Welcombe has a thriving pottery and there are other talented local people practising their crafts on a more informal basis.
Communications. . From 1930 to 1940, Welcombe was served by a thrice weekly ‘market bus’ which was a very popular and valued service. When it was withdrawn, Jimmy Lee, the driver and owner said ... The trouble is that with more and more country people buying their own cars, the bus has ceased to be an economic proposition. The lack of any public transport for the village from then until the present time has meant that a private car has become essential for almost every household in Welcombe. The A39 is a bus route with a request stop at Welcombe Cross. The nearest bus services otherwise are in Hartland, Bude and Bideford. Whilst there is a train connection at Barnstaple, this is a branch line that connects with Exeter and many residents prefer to use Tiverton Parkway which requires a round trip of about three hours.
PLANNING BACKGROUND
Structure and Local Plans. The parish comes within the remit of both the Devon Structure Plan and the Torridge District Local Plan (2005). The AONB designation is a central consideration and strong policy protection is implicit in both :
Devon County Structure Plan ... - In designated AONBs, the conservation and enhancement of their natural beauty will be given priority over other considerations. Within these areas, development will only be provided for where it would support their conservation or enhancement or would foster their social and economic well-being, provided that such development is compatible with their conservation.
Torridge
District Local Plan - Development that would affect an AONB would
only be permitted where :
a) it will not harm the landscape and scenic beauty of the designated area;
or
b) in the case of major development, there is proven national public interest
at stake and no alternative site outside the AONB is available.
The main coombes
within the parish and on the northern and southern peripheries have been recognised
in the local plan as Important Wildlife Corridors where policy ENV9
applies.
North Devon AONB Management and Action Plans. The plan and more detailed applications that flow from it are to be used as Supplementary Planning Guidance for the relevant local planning authorities. All of the key landscape features recognised in the plan - coastal features, hedgebanks, trees and woodland and traditional buildings/settlements are present within the parish. Welcombe occupies the southern part of the Hartland peninsula character area .... Forming the western part of the AONB, this remote and sparsely populated rural landscape has more in common with the neighbouring Cornish coast than that of Bideford Bay. Exposed to the full force of the Atlantic weather, the sea has eroded the high coastal plateau to form a continuous sequence of tall vertical cliffs. The crushed and folded strata of the Culm measures have provided some classic and spectacular coastal landforms. Livestock farming dominates the area with tall hedgebanks and poorly drained wet clay soils creating unimproved poor rushy pastures and moors known as Culm Grassland. Key issues of relevance to the parish include :
• maintenance
of vital services within village communities;
• loss of affordable housing and lack of public transport;
• neglect of hedgerows and under-grazing of semi-natural habitats;
• loss of tranquillity and impact of high visitor pressure.
Traffic and transport provoked the largest response in the 2002 consultation exercise for the AONB plan. One of the objectives (ST 1.4) in the subsequent AONB Action Plan 2004-2010 resonates with many of the findings from the questionnaire set out below ... To address local people's needs with regard to housing, transport and services to ensure viable communities in a manner that supports the work of the AONB ... which implicitly means protection of the environment.
Atlantic Partnership. Welcombe is one of a cluster of parishes in the Hartland peninsula (with Clovelly, Hartland, Parkham and Woolsery) that participate in a community alliance to represent a very distinctive part of North Devon. It was formed in September 2003 to ensure that parishes not included in the Market and Coastal Town Initiative are given a co-ordinated voice on the Local Strategic Partnership. Its brief is to identify targets for improving life in the community by addressing key social, environmental and economic issues.
PARISH SURVEY AND ACTION PLANS
Questionnaire 2004. A number of topic groups were established to help frame and then assess the results of a detailed questionnaire, which sought to establish the views of residents about key issues affecting the parish. They comprised environment, beach, housing, transport, local economy, village hall and young people; the last has been extended subsequently to encompass education and leisure. There was an extremely high response rate to the questionnaire of 93% and such comprehensive feedback has provided a very sound foundation for our plan. The data from the questionnaires was analysed with independent, expert advice and the main findings plus the consequential plan objectives are set out below.
Environment. Virtually all respondents think it is important to conserve and improve the environment of the parish. Many residents are in favour of protecting and managing hedgebanks for wildlife and sustaining good access throughout the rights of way network over the whole year. Recycling is very popular and the recent introduction of the weekly collection has supplemented the established collection point and made the process even more convenient. There is concern about mains water (40% expressing dissatisfaction) but air, light and noise pollution are not considered serious problems. Litter from disposal at sea is ever present, the amount depending in part on the time of year and whether there has been a periodic clean up operation. Welcombe has also been the subject of an in-depth study by the Devon Biodiversity Records centre in partnership with the County Council as part of the Parish Plans Biodiversity Project (August 2004). Its findings have influenced many of the targets outlined below.
• Parish Biodiversity Action Plan - to pursue the targets identified in the Parish Plans Biodiversity Project, namely further surveys, influence management of public open spaces, assist DWT in identifying and build relationships with local landowners, adopt a road verge, wildlife gardening, join local conservation organisations, control Japanese Knotweed;
• Habitat Management - to maintain links with the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT), North Devon Coast and Countryside Service (NDCCS) and local landowners to assist in managing important habitats - e.g. semi-natural grassland (including scrub clearance), woodlands and hedgebanks - within the parish through advice and work parties;
• DWT Voluntary Warden(s) - to liaise with DWT and appoint voluntary wardens to assist with monitoring the SSSIs, especially the northern areas and Welcombe Mouth that are detached from the main reserve;
• Public Rights of Way Warden - to ensure access along all rights of way and permissive paths without damage to the environment through which they pass via a parish footpaths warden who would liaise with Devon and Cornwall County Council PROW officers;
• Beach Bag Scheme - - to establish a partnership with Torridge Council, whereby collection bags are made available to those residents who volunteer to clear and recycle litter from the two beaches;
• Renewable Energy -to support domestic scale sources of renewable energy, unless they conflict significantly with local planning policy as they meet the aspirations of many residents, diversify options in such an isolated community and make a small contribution to reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.
Beach. The beach group itself has been primarily concerned with the vexed question of access, most especially to Welcombe Mouth where recreational use takes place within an SSSI, which affords statutory protection to wildlife and habitats. The land involved within the parish boundary is owned by DWT and the aspirations below will depend on their agreement. There was a general desire amongst respondents to leave the area as 'natural' as possible (which accords with its SSSI status) and to oppose any overnight parking, camping or lighting of fires. This is entirely consistent with nature conservation objectives, as exemplified by the DWT sign erected at the gated entrance on Sand Lane, which makes it clear that ... camping, overnight parking and the lighting of fires are strictly forbidden on the nature reserve. These activities still occur however, because the Trust does not have the resources to constantly monitor conditions through the year and one possible option is to introduce local byelaws that could be enforced. The beach group's views mirror the results from the questionnaire and the main conclusions are summarised below.
• Car Parking - to retain the existing car park at its current size, without height restriction at present but keep under review and investigate the possibility of further provision close to the public highway;
• Access Track - to receive only minimum maintenance to fill in the worst potholes and sustain the current number of passing places;
• Pathways - to improve pedestrian access from the public highway to the beach as discrete provision that avoids conflict with vehicles;
• Camping - to assist DWT in ensuring no overnight camping or vehicles within the nature reserve landholding at Welcombe Mouth;
• Toilets - to oppose new facilities, such as the construction of public conveniences (as also noted in the AONB management plan);
• Publicity - to support DWT in preparing further signs and other publicity to inform and guide visitors.
Housing. The majority of respondents support current planning policies in the district, with those who have lived longer in the parish being more inclined towards modest relaxation. Over three quarters, and especially those in younger age groups, were in support of affordable housing provision, on the understanding that this was for rent and targeted at local people in housing need. Otherwise the higher cost of housing may preclude younger people staying in the parish to the disbenefit of the community at large. While it is acknowledged that the rural context and AONB status will limit new build opportunities, specific provision for two or three affordable homes for rent by local people working in the immediate area would meet this demand. Location in one of the current settlement clusters is preferred, although it is recognised that the available services may influence a final choice. Thus there are two main criteria for housing within the parish :
• Restraint for New Building - to support current planning policy relating to housing development generally;
• Affordable
Homes for Rent - to acknowledge the potential need provision
for 2-3 affordable homes for rent to local people working in the vicinity
and who have a housing need.
Transport. The convenience and flexibility of private cars
is well established to the extent that it is now something that Welcombe residents
feel unable to do without. Thus the introduction of the weekly “Ring
and Ride” service by the Bideford Transport Group has not been a success
with only one person in the village having used it. There is nonetheless awareness
of the environmental costs and strong support for a lift-sharing scheme. The
village shop, parish newsletter, notice boards and village website could all
be used to publicise such a scheme. There is also some interest in a taxi
service run under the Bideford Transport Group ‘volunteer driver’
scheme and a “Wheels2Work” scheme using a subsidised motor scooter.
Based on the 2004 Welcombe Village Questionnaire and subsequent discussions,
the following action points have been identified :
• Lift-Sharing - to instigate, co-ordinate and publicise a lift sharing scheme in the parish;
• Local 'Taxi' Service - encourage volunteer drivers to provide a local ‘taxi’ service under the Bideford Transport Group scheme;
• Wheels2Work - to further publicise the scheme in an attempt to identify those individuals eligible for subsidised scooter;
• Bus Stop and Timetable - to secure a proper bus stop at Welcombe Cross and ensure current timetable details are always available.
Local Economy.
It is important employment opportunities in the village are given every support,
so that the number of self-sufficient families is increased and the local
economy enhanced. The Welcombe website was launched in March 2005 as a central
communication tool for businesses, individuals and organisations in the community
and the advent of broadband will considerable ease access to it. Three quarters
of respondents have internet access and indicated in the responses that they
would use the website. Many villages, and now Welcombe too, have lost their
shop/post office, which is clearly crucial to the economic and social life
of any community that aspires to being more than just a scattered collection
of dwellings. Re-opening of this facility is now being actively pursued. The
holiday trade is the most important source of income for the village economy
and some second home owners are longstanding and an integral part of parish
life. The seasonal nature of occupancy all too often leads to a loss of services
and community spirit. Achieving a balance is essential to a thriving economic,
and indeed social, structure and some specific action points are listed below.
• Shop and Post Office - to re-establish and
support the shop and post office, possibly as a community enterprise, and
ensure its long term viability, by taking every possible opportunity to remind
residents and visitors of the goods and services available;
• The Old Smithy Inn - to encourage and support this important local amenity, especially in the quieter winter months;
• Website and Broadband Internet Access - to manage the website as a primary communication tool for all aspects of village life, ensure availability of an effective broadband service (programmed July 2005) provide courses and training in use of the internet and identify a suitable location for a ‘pay-as-you-go’ facility for those without internet access (potentially in the community shop when re-opened);
• Local Business Support Group - to share information, experience and facilities, with a ‘skills register’ and offers of voluntary services via the website, on notice boards and in the newsletter, so that villagers can identify potential contractors or tradesmen for hire;
• Outlet(s) for Local Artisans - to display local crafts for sale in the village hall, through the Yarner Trust or at the pub and/or shop;
• Yarner Trust - to recognise the important role of the trust locally and the potential of its Bakehouse and other projects to diversify and extend employment opportunities;
• Workshops - to support the provision of rural workshop space, which might attract new artisans, businesses and artists to the village, consistent with policies in the local plan.
Education and Leisure. The trend to an older population argues for positive measures to encourage young people and their parents to stay in the village. The dichotomy of current state schooling, which is influenced by the available transport, needs to be regularly reviewed in the light of parents' and, most importantly, childrens' aspirations. More opportunities for play and recreation need to be created within the parish. Yarner Trust and Beaford Arts are very important for the cultural life of the village and need to be supported. Funding for the latter depends in particular on lobbying the county and district councils.
• Access to Local Schools - to regularly review
the different options and the available transport in consultation with the
respective authorities, so that these are consistent with the current needs
of parents and children;
• Parish Newsletter - - to continue support for this admirable village link, which is particularly important for those without internet access to keep in touch, through offers of help and items for inclusion;
• Yarner Trust and Beaford Arts - to recognise the important contributions these two organisations make to village life and to ensure those providing financial support are made aware of this;
• Recreation and Play - to assess children's aspirations in the village with a view to enhancing opportunities at the village hall and possibly in Darracott.
Village Hall. The building is well loved as the main centre for the community rather than for itself or its architectural merit; indeed the skittle alley currently cuts off what is an outstanding aspect from more general and effective use. Substantial repair to, rebuilding or even replacement of the structure is urgently required, so that long-term solutions are implemented in the robust local climate to preclude water penetration, improve energy conservation and meet the parish’s needs more effectively. Such enhanced provision should allow more regular and diverse use for wedding receptions, parties, conferences and educational functions that would all assist its financial viability. The rural setting of the hall, surrounded by recently planted woodland, with ample parking, and no near neighbours, makes it ideal for such diverse uses. A section of the questionnaire focused on the village hall, its present condition, desirable improvements plus future uses and the topic group have produced a schedule of requirements.
• Overall Aim - to create an attractive venue as for community activities that is well suited to current and projected demands, makes better use of an outstanding situation and has affordable revenue costs;
• Main Hall -to improve heating, lighting (natural and artificial), insulation, and acoustics; with possibly floor insulation / heating for keep fit/yoga classes; atmospheric lighting for social events, stage lighting and P.A. system including hearing aid loop; lighting adequate for art classes or similar; easy access for performance equipment, exhibition stands, projection equipment for film nights;
• Kitchen - to substantially upgrade design and equip it to cater for up to 120 people in accord with current statutory regulations;
• Cloakrooms -- to comply with regulations governing provision of facilities for the disabled (incorporating external access with radar key); plus child-friendly toilets, baby-changing space, changing area for keep-fit/yoga sessions, performance artists etc; with shower;
• Meeting Room - to include a comfortable room, with independent access but still convenient for kitchen and toilets; providing space to sit 12-15 people around a table, with facilities for training classes or meetings including the use of computers; a pleasant aspect looking south and/or west; (potential users comprise parish council, WI, lunch club, educational classes, toddler group, and other small, social groups);
• Services & Entrance - to upgrade heating, lighting, insulation and acoustics of the main hall, making maximum positive use of the hall’s south facing aspect for energy conservation and possibly generation, plus an extended or revised entrance area to assist entry to major events and reduce energy use;
• Disabled Access - to meet all the main concerns identified in the audit prepared for the village hall committee by Living Options Devon in February 2005;
• Storage -to provide suitable discrete space for keeping tables, chairs, trestles, staging, skittle alley equipment, games equipment (e.g. table tennis, pool, darts, short mat bowls), toddler club toys, P.A. equipment;
• External Space - to extend and upgrade parking provision (off-road), remedy current problems with waste water treatment and provide outside lighting, sitting area (focusing on views down valley), opportunities for children's play and a performance area or amphitheatre;
• Other Options - to assess use of the hall as an observatory (Welcombe has a night sky free of light pollution which makes it an attractive venue for astronomers) and for access to the internet.
The age and condition of the structure means that further palliatives on a self-help basis are unlikely to produce long-term solutions and cannot offer up essential improvements. Thus a significant element of re-building is required. An initial view of opportunities and constraints in spring 2005 established three options, one based on the existing footprint (A), a second extending to the west (B) and the third a new building adjacent (C). Even the first two would involve substantial cost if the problems with the current roof structure and damp penetration are to be addressed effectively. The greater outlay on a complete re-build could increase the financial demands for match funding on what is a very small community without any capital asset beyond the existing site and building. The village hall committee resolved at its AGM in April to undertake a more detailed assessment of options B and C and funding is being sought for this in order to determine the preferred strategy.
SHOP AND
POST OFFICE
Background.
Once it was known at the beginning of 2005 that the facility at Leddon Cottage
was to close, the Post Office invited applications from individuals to take
over the service. No one came forward to run the community post office and
possibly a small shop on a private basis. This was not unexpected as any aspiring
applicant must have the premises, the time and the inclination. A consensus
that only a community-run facility was likely to prove viable developed at
an early stage and was confirmed during a very well attended public meeting
at the village hall. The group established as a result of this brain-storming
session has moved the process forward considerably, first by visiting other
community shops in rural Devon and then by discussing strategies and available
grants with a number of public and voluntary sector advisers.
Current Plans. Given the absence of a private initiative, the options are either some form of private - public partnership (respectively land/building and community run shop) or an entirely community enterprise. The latter would rely on acquiring suitable land/building or be located within an upgraded and enlarged village hall complex. The post office option can only be resumed for certain within 18 months of a closure, which means September 2006. Greater demand over the summer months points to the desirability of a spring 2006 opening; this in turn depends on the various approvals being obtained and construction or conversion works being completed. After a further public meeting in April to inform and seek the support of the community, all effort is now focused on determining a suitable and viable option as a pre-condition of various grant applications.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
Priorities. The two most important issues for Welcombe Parish in the foreseeable future are :
• the village hall refurbishment or new building and
• the re-establishment of the shop and post office.
The other key development, central to many of the plan proposals, is broadband availability to support the new community web-site and public access to the internet.
Mechanisms and Funding. Whilst responsibility for the overall implementation of the plan rests with the parish council, much of the detailed work on the two priorities comes within the remit of independent groups. The village hall committee has been established for some years and benefits from charity status. A group has been formed to secure the re-opening of the shop plus post office and this is likely to transform into an Industrial Provident Society (IPS). Third party involvement by public, private and voluntary sector partners is central to these and other objectives of the plan and in many cases cannot proceed without their support and involvement. Thus the format consists of :
• Parish Council - to be responsible for overall implementation of the plan;
• Village Hall Committee - to secure refurbishment, together with being responsible for day-to-day management;
• Village Shop Group - to re-establish the shop and post office as a community run facility, with a sustainable future;
Both major projects
are dependent on substantial grant aid if they are to proceed. These include
the Lottery Fund, DEFRA, the Plunkett Foundation, the Community Council for
Devon, Devon County Council and Torridge District Council. The challenge is
not just to secure grant support but to comply with the requirements for the
community element, be it match funding or contributions of materials and/or
labour. One of the most difficult is the financial 'seedcorn' that will be
necessary to instigate both projects before the grant monies become available.
Plans of the village hall options are shown overleaf and this is followed
by the final element of the plan, namely the projected programme and allocation
of responsibility.
Programme. Certain tasks do not demand immediate action, some are on-going whilst others need to be established in the short-term.
| Topic | Target | Responsibility | Timescale |
| Environment | Biodiversity Action Plan | Parish Council+ DWT | on-going |
| Habitat Management | DWT + NDCCS + Parish Council | on-going | |
| DWT Voluntary Warden(s) | DWT + Parish Council | 2005 | |
| Public Rights of Way Warden | Parish Council | 2005 | |
| Beach | Car Park | DWT + Voluntary Warden(s) | no action |
| Access Track and Pathways | DWT | on-going | |
| Camping | DWT + Voluntary warden(s) | 2005 (on-going) | |
| Toilets | DWT | no action | |
| Publicity | DWT + Parish Council | 2005 (on-going) | |
| Housing | Restraint for New Building | District and Parish Councils | on-going |
| Affordable Homes | District and Parish Councils | on-going | |
| Transport | Lift Sharing | Everyone | on-going |
| Local 'Taxi' Service | BDT + Everyone | on-going | |
| Wheels2Work | BDT + Everyone | on-going | |
| Bus Stop and Timetables | Parish Council, Bus Company + County Council | 2006 and on-going | |
| Economy | Shop and Post Office | Village Shop Group | 2006 |
| Internet Access | Parish Council | 2005 (on-going) | |
| Local Business Support Group | Parish Council | 2005 (on-going) | |
| Outlets for Local Artisans | Various | on-going | |
| Workshops | Various | on-going | |
| Education and Leisure | Access to Local Schools | Parish Council + Parents | on-going |
| The Parish Newsletter | Everyone | on-going | |
| Yarner Trust and Beaford Arts | Everyone | on-going | |
| Recreation and Play | Parish Council + Parents | 2005-2007 | |
| Village Hall | Refurbishment or Re-build | Village Hall Committee | 2005-2008 |
This site is sponsored by:-
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 Mead House Construction |
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 Corner Cottage |
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 Henaford Ice Cream |
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 Linton Farm |
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 Ley Park B&B |
Copyright© Welcombe Village Website Group February
2005
