WELBORNE VILLAGE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The residents of Welborne have always had the opportunity to make known their views on the future of Welborne village through their elected representatives to both Parish and District Councils, however, when the Countryside Agency asked for a formal and systematic survey of village opinion a questionnaire seemed an appropriate way to collect this data
.

Survey

A preliminary survey was prepared and distributed by the Welborne School Room Committee to gauge the level of interest and the issues, which were of most concern to the people who live in Welborne. At an open meeting in the Village Hall residents had the opportunity to further discuss their concerns in greater depth and to raise issues, which may have arisen since the initial survey.

It was decided that to avoid any conflict of interest, an independent Steering Group should be formed to prepare the questionnaire and analyse the result. Any resident of Welborne who expressed an interest had the opportunity to serve on this committee.

The Steering Group was given the opportunity to study other village questionnaires, in particular that of the village of Mattishall. The Steering Group felt that is was preferable to prepare a questionnaire that specifically addressed the concerns raised in the preliminary questionnaire and at the village meeting. It was agreed that the format of the questions should be such as to allow the residents to express both their position on the issue and the degree of their concern and as far as possible the questions should be worded in such a way as to avoid appearing to favour one option over another. Opportunity to add further comments allowed any concerns that the committee had overlooked, to be addressed. In order to reflect the historical position that the church has always held in the village, questions were included regarding the future use of the building although the committee realize that control over church matters is entirely the responsibility of the PCC.

While the questionnaires were distributed to every house in the village it was decided that they would not be collected in the same way. The reasons for this were to ensure that residents did not feel under any pressure to complete the form if they did not want to do so and to ensure absolute confidentiality. Drop off points were carefully selected and a phone number provided to aid anyone unable to return their copy. The responses to each question were collated and a statistical picture of the residents’ attitudes drawn up. While members of the Steering Group were concerned to let the figures speak for themselves, they were advised that a Parish Plan should include a written summary of the results and responded accordingly.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Our greatest thanks go to the residents of Welborne Village who participated so enthusiastically in the process and who have waited so patiently for the end product. We must also thank the Countryside Agency and South Norfolk Council who provided the finance for the printing, Miss Janet Peachey, Field Officer with the Norfolk Rural Community Council for her advice, the School Room Committee who initiated the process and Mr Fred Elson who acted as liaison between the various bodies involved.

The Steering Group would like to thank you for supporting the Welborne Parish Plan by completing this questionnaire. We hope the results can make a difference to our village.

THE STEERING GROUP

Brenda Baxter; Jenny Chapman; Heather Gordon; Claire Lussignea; Richard Stephenson and Angela Wadham.

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RESPONDENTS

Distributed to 81 households. 39 questionnaires returned, covering 91 respondents. Number = 91

The data relating to 5 individuals is missing due either to omission or unwillingness to give information.



Age range:
Age range:

0 – 3

1

16 – 21

3

3 – 5

2

21 – 40

10

5 – 8

5

40 – 65

48

8 – 11

3

65 +

19

11– 16

7



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RESPONSES

Not all respondents answered all of the questions; therefore not all answers include ninety-one responses.

THE VILLAGE IDENTITY (Overview of Welborne Village)

1.    The village will change over the next decade and I am interested in having input in the decision-making and wish to fill in the questionnaire.

YES	NO
88	1

2. I enjoy living in Welborne.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
56	32	2	1	-

3. As a village, Welborne meets my needs.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
28	53	2	8	-

4. I feel part of the village community .

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
24	41	9	6	-

5. Welborne should remain a rural community, distinct from the surrounding villages.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
53	26	3	5	-

SUMMARY:
The vast majority of people enjoy living in Welborne, feel it meets their needs and feel part of the community. It is felt that Welborne should remain a rural community distinct from surrounding villages.

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BUILDING DEVELOPMENT
6. There is adequate existing housing in Welborne and no development is necessary.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
49	16	8	9	9

7. The population of Norfolk is increasing but I would like to see housing development in Welborne kept to a minimum.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
51	25	7	6	-

8. I would support any type of housing development in Welborne.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
9	10	7	25	39

9. I would support housing development in Welborne for high quality family homes.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
1	13	11	26	40

10. I would support housing development in Welborne for small housing estates.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
-	15	5	23	47

11. I would support housing development in Welborne for low cost housing for the young, elderly, socially disadvantaged.

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
6	11	15	23	36

SUMMARY:

Most people would prefer to see building development kept to a minimum. Should development be allowed there is mixed feeling as to what development would be appropriate.

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COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

12. There is adequate commercial enterprise and no further development is necessary.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

24

20

18

19

10

13. I would support development of small commercial units within the village.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

6

33

7

19

27

14. I would only support industrial or commercial development if Welborne residents, who would work within the development, generated demand.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

3

31

13

14

19

SUMMARY:

There was no strong agreement as to whether commercial development should or should not be allowed in the village.

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PUBLIC FACILITIES SERVICE AND SHOPPING

15. There is adequate existing provision and no further development is necessary

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

12

25

11

19

15

16. If Welborne had its own shop I would use it as my primary supplier.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

9

12

24

35

7

17. I would find it useful if Welborne had additional travelling services that visited the village. (See info. Sheet for existing travelling services).

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

10

22

27

23

5

SUMMARY:

There is no clear agreement within the village as to whether public facilities should be increased or further developed. The numbers that requested these facilities suggest that any such development would be economically unviable.

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TRANSPORT

18. Current Konect bus services link Mattishall to Dereham (see additional info. Sheet) I would regularly use this service if extended to include Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

8

21

25

29

5

19. Current Konect services link Mattishall to Norwich, including the hospital (see additional info. Sheet). I would regularly use this service if extended to include Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

8

17

22

34

4

20.Current Konect Bus services link Barnham Broom to Norwich, including the hospital (see additional info. Sheet). I would regularly use this service if extended to include Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

5

17

22

38

14

Extra transport to shops and services outside of Welborne would be helpful to me.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

6

18

24

34

5

SUMMARY:

There seems minimal demand for the extension of any of the bus services to cover Welborne.

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ROAD SAFETY
22.The roads in Welborne are adequate and appropriate.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

18

36

11

18

9

23.There is adequate provision for pedestrians around Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

14

34

9

21

10

24.I would support the installation of street lighting in Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

4

17

6

23

40

25.I would like to see speed restrictions within Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

29

27

6

9

16

26.I would like to see heavy vehicles restricted within Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

33

24

8

21

2

27.I would like to see salt bins on some of the bends within Welborne.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

16

39

20

10

4

SUMMARY:

There were mixed feelings around road safety within the village. Also a large majority was not in support of street lighting. However the imposition of speed restrictions through the village would be well supported. Salt bins within the village would also receive much support

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WELBORNE VILLAGE HALL - important information:
Without significant development ‘Welborne Village Hall’ will fail to meet the ‘Disabilities Discrimination Act (2004)’ and will no longer be available for public activities.

28.I would be affected by the loss of Welborne Village Hall.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

18

38

23

7

5

29. Welborne has adequate existing leisure facilities for my needs.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

15

34

11

21

9

30 I would attend Welborne Village Hall if used for recreational activities

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

14

41

23

9

4

31. I would use the services of mobile businesses within Welborne Village Hall (chiropody, hairdressing, alternative therapies, post office).

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

4

29

26

26

5

32.I would attend Welborne Village Hall if used for church services (should the church not be economically viable)

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

2

20

28

27

13

33. I would attend the Welborne Village Hall if used as a social venue

(Day centre, pub evenings, socials etc.)

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

15

22

34

13

4

34. I would use Welborne Village Hall more if it had a licensed bar.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

8

23

19

30

10

35. If the use of Welborne village hall increased I would support the development of additional parking.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

4

34

17

23

11

36. I would actively contribute to the organisation of events and services provided within Welborne village hall.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

10

23

29

18

10

37. I am happy with the current social events held within Welborne Village Hall.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

8

49

26

5

3

38. Welborne Village Hall Committee should continue to organise events that bring more people into the village.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

15

47

20

5

6

39. Welborne Village Hall should generate income through social events.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

17

52

15

4

2

40. Welborne Village Hall should be extended tastefully in keeping with its historical features to facilitate greater capacity and more functions.

Strongly Agree

Agree

No Opinion

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

18

30

18

19

10

SUMMARY:

The existence of the Village Hall is strongly supported and responses suggest that it would be used more for recreational and social activities. People are happy with current social events, with events that bring more people into the village strongly supported. Responses also supported the use of the hall to generate income. There is mixed support for the use of the hall for church services or mobile businesses.

Opinion was divided over the benefit of extending the Village Hall

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Age range:		Age range:
0 – 3	1	16 – 21	3
3 – 5	2	21 – 40	10
5 – 8	5	40 – 65	48
8 – 11	3	65 +	19
11– 16	7

Strongly Agree	Agree	No Opinion	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
24	20	18	19	10

Welborne Village

Village Report