Introduction
Encouraged by The Countryside Agency's "Vital Villages" initiative, the Tywardreath and Par Parish Plan 2005 sets out to draw together the identified needs of the community, assesses their feasibility and how they can be addressed. It also sets out an Action Plan to progress specific projects to deal with identified needs.
Following a public meeting in October 2004, a Parish Plan Steering Committee was set up, which drew up a comprehensive questionnaire which was delivered to every household in the Parish (1,407 - approx 2600 adults). 689 people returned questionnaires, 26.3%.
The data in the questionnaires was collated and analysed, the results being presented in a display at the Tywardreath Village Fete in August 2005, at an all-day public exhibition and question and answer session in Tywardreath in September and an on-going exhibition at Par Library.
The results of the questionnaires and the public response to the subsequent exhibitions have been put together to develop an Action Plan which is set out in a Summary Leaflet distributed to all households in the Parish.
It sets out to draw together the identified needs of the community, assesses their feasibility and sets out an Action Plan to progress specific projects to deal with identified needs, to be led by the Parish Council in conjunction with appropriate partners.
Location
The Parish of Tywardreath and Par is located to the north east of St Austell Bay in the Borough of Restormel. It is bounded to the west by the Parish of St Blazey, to the north by Lanlivery, to the east by Golant and to the south by Fowey.
Covering an area of some 8 square km, it is predominantly agricultural in character (mixed arable and pasture), the majority of the parish lying at heights of between 35 & 80 metres. The western margin of the Parish is occupied by the eastern side of the lower flood-plain of the Par River whilst the Treesmill Valley roughly bisects the Parish in a NNE-SSW direction.
Urban development is largely confined to the adjacent villages of Tywardreath and Par, in the extreme SW of the Parish, occupying approx. 8% & 6% respectively of its total area. The two settlements are separated by the fields of Tywardreath Hill which are considered locally as representing a significant boundary. Other than a nucleus of some 50 dwellings at Kilhallon, just north of Par Duck Pond and a similar number of houses built along either side of the A390 at Tywardreath Highway, there is no significant urban development, only scattered farmsteads. The A390 St Austell - Lostwithiel road crosses the North West edge of the Parish and the A3082 St Blazey - Fowey road crosses the South West side. Par Station, the interchange for Newquay on the main London - Penzance rail route is situated on the West side of the Parish.
Par Sands, which lie entirely within the Parish, are important not only as a safe beach for family holidaymakers but also as an important recreational resource all year round for the people of Mid-Cornwall. The extensive unspoilt countryside, including Tywardreath Marsh Nature Reserve, the ancient parish church and proximity to the Luxulyan Valley, Fowey and the Eden Project are important attractions for tourists.
People
The survey indicated that the average age of the population in the parish is quite high, a factor which is important when considering the priorities for the development of the community.
A striking characteristic of the replies was the high proportion that had been resident for over 15 years, whilst over 20% had been born in the Parish. Interestingly, these proportions were fairly similar for all age groups. These figures demonstrate a stable, mature community with a strong sense of belonging and an interest in maintaining the communal identity.
Education
The study suggests that there will be growth in demand for the Playgroup in the near future, which could require a larger venue, possibly a point worth considering in the development of the village hall.
The level of satisfaction with Primary & Secondary School facilities was high across all age groups. However for Tertiary Education, the overall level of satisfaction was much lower. Whilst not a Parish matter, this must be of concern at County level.
There was considerable interest in Adult Education courses. Again, the redevelopment of Tywardreath Village hall could be an important catalyst in providing a suitable venue for the development of these activities.
Health Services
Whilst overall satisfaction was high for these services, a number of problems were highlighted. In particular:
- difficulties in contacting the surgery
- dissatisfaction with the appointments system
- problems of access to hospitals and timing of appointments
- cut-backs in chiropody services were causing considerable distress
Police
Whilst half of those replying expressed no dissatisfaction with the Police, the incidence of "petty" crime, particularly anti-social behaviour, vandalism burglary and alcohol abuse are of concern, particularly in Par.
It was felt that a more visible Police presence would be a useful deterrent. The Parish Council is working with the relevant authorities to try to improve this situation
Housing
The community has expressed strongly its opposition to any significant housing development within the Parish, other than infill on appropriate sites. However there is widespread recognition of the need for "affordable" homes for local people and the threat to the available housing stock of second homes.
These objections are not "Nimbyism", but recognise that the local infrastructure could not support any such development. Furthermore, it would seriously detract from the quality of life of the whole community and threaten an area of unspoilt green space and countryside which is important not only to the local people but to the many visitors to this part of the county and would threaten efforts to develop "family" tourism in the area.
Action (working with Restormel DC)
Affordable Homes
- Identify actual level of need
- Agree targets & timescale
- Propose sites & ranking, consult community and incorporate as Supplementary Planning Guidance
Other Development
- Ensure that Supplementary Planning Guidance ensures that development is restricted to in-fill and does not encroach on surrounding farm-land
Second Homes
- Research existing methods of constraint and their application
- Lobby for new legislation to discourage loss of housing stock to second homes
Traffic
Once work has been completed on the Skew Bridge, the volume of heavy goods traffic through Par should be substantially lower.
Action
- Set up liaison group with relevant parties to minimise problems during work on Skew Bridge
- On-going liaison with Imerys, Police and County Highways to monitor and control heavy vehicle movements
Parking & Traffic Calming
There is a need for additional off-road parking in Tywardreath and Par both for safety and quality of life.
There is general agreement that there is a need for effective traffic calming measures on most of the through roads in the Parish.
Action
- With Restormel DC identify suitable sites in Tywardreath and Par for additional off-road parking
- With County Highways investigate effective traffic calming measures and install where appropriate
- Seek installation of light-controlled crossing on railway bridge and extension of roadside pavement around Par Duck-pond
Public Transport
Almost a quarter of people in the Parish are without private transport many of them elderly or young people. The preservation of local bus services is therefore very important. The decision to cut the St Austell service from half-hourly to hourly is a source of much annoyance.
The preservation of Par Station as a main line interchange is of great importance to the local community, both for themselves and as a source of tourism
Action
- Seek restoration of half-hourly bus service
- Lobby all appropriate agencies to ensure maintenance of main-line status for Par Station
Dentist
The inadequacy of local NHS dental facilities is causing considerable distress and inconvenience in the Parish. When alternative facilities are offered they are often inaccessible to those without access to private transport.
Action
- With St Blazey Town Council and Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Patient Care explore possibilities of improving situation
Young People
It was widely felt that vandalism and anti-social behaviour were in part due to lack of facilities for young people in the Parish.
Action
- Restore skateboard facility at Par Recreation Ground
- Restore children's play facility in Trevance Park (with safeguards against misuse
- Establish Youth Club/ Drop-in Centre for young people
Tywardreath Village Hall
The survey demonstrated overwhelming support for the establishment of St Andrew's Hall as a true village hall, managed by an independent committee made up of representatives of the community and its organisations.
Such a facility will not only afford improved conditions, for existing groups, especially those members with disabilities, but would also encourage new activities which can only strengthen the community.
These could include evening classes, sports such as badminton or short-mat bowling and perhaps a drop-in centre which could be used by various sections of the community at different times.
Action
- Set up a Steering Committee to establish a plan for the setting up of a Village Hall Committee to manage the Hall
- Investigate sources of funding for improvements
- Invite suggestions from interested organisations and the community for potential uses of the Hall
The Future
The publication of the Tywardreath and Par Parish plan is not an end in itself but an important first step in an ambitious programme to strengthen our communities, shape the way they develop in the future and preserve those aspects of our environment and way of life which we believe are the basis of our strong sense of communal identity.
Some of the targets which we have set should be fairly easily achieved; others will be more difficult and may require some compromises
However, the Parish Plan exercise has demonstrated conclusively that the community has strong opinions on many aspects of its life and structure and are willing to pull together and fight for that which we consider important.
As time goes by new challenges will arise and we are confident that, with leadership from the Parish Council, we will succeed in meeting them.
However we must all realise that success depends on the active participation of everyone. If you would like to play a part, however humble, in any of the projects, please contact the Parish Clerk or any Parish Councillor.
Conclusion
The preparation of the Parish Plan has provided a comprehensive overview of the opinions and concerns of our community covering a very wide spectrum. Although the total response was lower than hoped for, the data received has been sufficient in almost all cases to justify statistical analysis and interpretation.
Several key areas are identified for specific action and work has already started on some of them to achieve positive action.
There is a strong feeling amongst all those involved that the preparation of this Parish Plan has been a worthwhile and constructive exercise which will be reflected in measures which positively develop the local community.
The Parish Plan Committee and Tywardreath and Par Parish Council would like to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the project, including Restormel Borough Council and the Countryside Agency. They especially thank those who were prepared to take the time to fill in such a long and complicated questionnaire. We would particularly like to thank those who contributed their own comments both on the questionnaires and at the subsequent public exhibitions of the results.