The Localism Act was introduced in November 2011 with the aim of devolving more decision making powers from central government back to communities. Neighbourhood Plans allow communities, such as Downton, to get more involved in planning for their areas, specifically around creating plans and policies to guide new development and in some cases granting planning permission for certain types of development1 In the autumn of 2013 Downton Parish Council announced its intention to embark upon a Neighbourhood Plan; and a public meeting in November 2013 confirmed community support. In early 2014 the neighbourhood area (of Downton Parish) was designated and reasons given to Wiltshire Council for embarking upon the Plan. This intention was subject to further consultation between April and June 2014 and approved in August 2014. The Downton Neighbourhood Plan therefore reflects the views and thoughts of the local community, not just residents but also local businesses and other stakeholders. Its particular concern is the requirement in the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy for the development of 190 new homes in Downton by 2026. At the moment the Parish Council and local residents can only react to submitted planning applications. The Neighbourhood Plan, once agreed, will be a legal document that sits alongside the Core Strategy; and while it cannot seek to reduce the number of homes to be built it can influence where, what, when and the appearance of development and, with appropriate evidence, the necessary infrastructure required. The overriding objective of the plan is to ensure that inevitable changes do not detract from the many benefits of the village identified by local people and where possible seek to have these benefits enhanced. This draft Plan has been produced by a Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group comprising local volunteers and, following comments, will go forward for consideration by Wiltshire County Council. Once the plan has been made, following a favourable local referendum, the Downton Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the Development plan for our area and become, with the Wiltshire Core Strategy, the starting point for deciding where development should take place and the type and quality of that development. The Borough White Horse and Co-op 1?????
The Downton Neighbourhood Plan area encompasses the whole of Downton parish which is in the Avon Valley including its floodplain, river terraces and both valley sides, with Barford and Witherington Downs to the East and New Court and Clearbury Downs to the West. The landscape is predominantly rural with the village of Downton nestling on the valley floor towards the Southern end of the plan area To the North is the village of Charlton All Saints, lying on the western side of the river, and to the east is the hamlet of Standlynch. Downton itself is a ancient Wiltshire village with a population of approximately 3,000 situated 6 miles south of Salisbury. It straddles the River Avon just outside the New Forest National Park and is surrounded by water meadows and chalk downland. Church of St Laurence in Downton People have lived in Downton for over 7,000 years. Evidence of Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlements has been found. The earthworks of a Norman motte and bailey castle lie within the 18th Century Moot landscape gardens overlooking the river. Its recent history included a range of industries including tanning, manufacturing bacon and converting Mini cars to make them faster. Evidence of past activities can be seen in the old buildings and the mills that used to power local industry. Today the village continues to thrive, with its own schools, shops, pubs and businesses. Every year the Cuckoo Fair attracts around 20,000 visitors to over 250 craft and other stalls, plus live music, dance and other entertainments. The village is also well for its fishing, its award winning local brewery and as a centre for exploring the River Avon and New Forest. Accessibility Downton has good road connections to the north (Salisbury) and to the south (Bournemouth and Southampton, via the M27) along the A338. This is regarded as the primary and local lorry route though the area in the Wiltshire Core Strategy. This route primarily affects the western end of the village. The rest of the village is affected by through-traffic to the New Forest and A36 along the B3080 and use of this route by HGV’s.
Themes For Land Use Landscape and Character Justification and Evidence The Parish of Downton and the landscape in it sits has a character developed over many centuries of human activity. It is predominantly rural with the village of Downton nestling on the floor of the Avon Valley towards the southern end of the Plan area with the hamlet of Charlton All Saints to the north. There are scattered buildings within the rural area, including the cluster of redeveloped Standlynch Farm buildings, the historic Trafalgar Park House and business units at Botleys Farm. The village of Downton straddles the plain, being a historic river crossing. Part is designated as a Conservation Area (PLAN) containing over 85 listed buildings, including Grade 1 Listed St. Laurence Church, Moot House and Manor House. The Moot is a scheduled monument. It is also an area of some archaeological significance, not only with the Moot but also early Neolithic finds (now in Salisbury Museum) and remains of a Roman Villa off Moot Lane including a fine mosaic (also in Salisbury Museum). It is quite possible that further evidence of past human activity remains to be found. Figure 3: Key Downton Conservation Area The main features of the Conservation Area are set out in the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, published in December 2008. The key characteristics are as follows: Its distinctive settlement layout and the contrast between the village core and The Borough. Survival of the important former industrial core (now redeveloped as housing) to the village, centred on the river. The setting of the valley floor comprising flood plain and former water meadow systems. Distant glimpses of buildings in a mature treed landscape. The importance of local views, particularly from the Moot. Continuous building lines providing good enclosure, defining roads and spaces complimented by the use of brick and flint boundary walls. The valuable survival of a significant number of thatched buildings, individually and in groups. The use of high quality eighteenth century brickwork, often to earlier timber framed buildings. Deep narrow plots often backing onto open countryside. In addition, the appraisal highlights locally significant buildings that currently fall outside the Conservation Area boundary. These are: Wick Lodge, South Lane Cottage and the Lode Hill flint retaining wall. The recommendation of the appraisal is to extend the existing boundaries to incorporate these buildings in the future. Conservation Area
The Downton Area map in the Core Strategy shows 10 different policies within the Parish. At least 7 of these restrict or restrain future expansion of the village: The River Avon, which the village straddles, is a SSSI and the adjoining water-meadows to the north and south regularly flood thus preventing development from the Borough; The Conservation Area extends around the Borough to the West of the Avon and the High Street to the east and has its own policies affecting development; Downton Moot Garden and the adjoining playing field are listed under the Schedule of Monuments; The Development Restraint Area surrounding the Sewerage Treatment Plant may restrain growth to the south along Moot Lane; The Housing Restraint Area along Mesh Pond and Wick Lane restrains growth to the West and a little further west is the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Mineral Safeguarding Area to the west of the A338 is a Planning consideration The area surrounding Downton is designated as a Special Landscape Area with particular Planning considerations. see figure 5 The sites shown in the Wiltshire Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment are outside these policy areas but are also outside of the existing Housing Policy Boundary, shown on the map by a red line, but are within the Wiltshire County Council’s Special Landscape Area, which also has policy restraints on development. Local venacular in the parish
Within the Qualitative Survey undertaken by the Steering Group in October 2014 there was concern about the general traffic congestion in the village and it was felt to be impacted by heavy lorries travelling through the centre of the village. Although this is not necessarily directly connected to the business park, any future growth of the business park will need to link with the traffic policy within the Neighbourhood plan. A further detailed survey is underway with selected businesses but its results will not be available for this of the Plan. Results will be taken into account when revising the plan after the pre-submission consultation. Wick Lane There are 9 businesses in Wick Lane employing 35 people. Two of these businesses are farms. Botley Farm has a number of small units being used predominantly for small manufacturing businesses. The number of residents is slightly higher but still only 32%. The Leisure Centre is included in the survey and financial constraints are preventing it from developing further. Please refer to the section on Leisure and Facilities. Village Centre Within the village there are 17 businesses 15 of which are retail businesses or pubs and cafes. Of the 3 areas, this is the sector with the highest proportion of local employees at 51%. Borough Café, Co-op, White Horse and Hair Design with heavy parking Within the Qualitative Survey undertaken by the Steering Group in October 2014 there was a strong feeling that the shops within the High Street (at the east end of the village) needed There was great sadness at the loss of the Post Office and Kings Head pub. Parking and traffic congestion along with lack of cycle paths and narrow footpaths were seen to exacerbate the decline and be a risk to the survival of other businesses. Speculation is that these businesses have been subject to a lack of close parking and the changing nature of shopping habits. 72% of respondents supported the development or expansion of retail units and 83% of survey respondents wanted the Post office in the High Street to re-open. Pharmacy F&C shop and Simply Fresh with heavy parking The main housing development areas are anticipated to be at the A338 end of the village so unlikely to help with the re-generation of the High Street. This was backed up in the Quantitative Survey undertaken in December 2014 whereby 72% of residents supported the development of new retail units in Downton.
Clearly the rural environment is no barrier to successful business operation, and in some instances will be a real advantage (eg wedding venues). Many of these units produce products that are of national importance. However, they all suffer from the same general problems that have been outlined above, and seem to lack any structured contact with the Parish Council. This problem could be overcome if the Parish Council formed, and chaired, a Rural Business Forum which met annually and discussed those problems that were hindering business development within the parish. Conclusion, aims and future policies As well as ensuring that major developments are avoided in the rural areas, and the existing ethos maintained, the Parish and County Council policies should be directed towards ensuring the economic well being of those who work in this area as far as they are compatible with the wider objective. In essence the priority should be directed towards retaining what exists and assisting agricultural and business operations so as to ensure they remain successful. Specifically: RE - Rural Economy Policies Landscape policies LC 5, LC 6 and LC 7 also to the Rural Economy Local preserve Economy policy LE 4 also applies to the Rural Economy Additional policy RE 1 - To preserve the rural nature of the NP area and to limit the scale of developments while also ensuring the continued economic well-being of the agricultural and non-agricultural business activities. REP 1 - To work with statutory bodies to help achieve the of the rural community without compromising the special qualities of the area. REP 2 - To work with others to assist the mergence of a viable rural economy within the general ethos of preservation and limited development. REP 3 - To work with the rural businesses to help develop local markets for the goods and services that are produced. REP 4 - To encourage the provision of superfast broadband throughout the rural parts of the parish. REP 5 - To encourage the appropriate authorities to ensure that Barford Lane / Witherington Road and Wick Lane are maintained in an appropriate manner. REP 6 - To form a sub-committee of the Parish Council that would advise on rural matters and create a Rural Business Forum. picture of rural businesses