The Second Open Day, which was held on Sat 9^th June 2007 to display all the results of the Parish Plan Questionnaire, marked the end of a year long consultation phase with the village. The Steering Group wishes to thank all those villagers who contributed to the information gathering process, and who offered their comments and suggestions about life in Salhouse today, together with their aspirations for its future. We also conducted an additional Young Adults Survey to obtain the views of this age group.

This is the first time the village has had a chance to really express its views on such a wide range of subjects and it has provided us with a huge amount of analytical work, while identifying some clear concerns.

The overriding impression gained from the 60% of the households who completed the questionnaire is that they really value living in a rural setting with easy access to amenities, namely Norwich, Wroxham and the Broads. This is the quality of life they wish to protect and conserve. There is a natural fear of unwanted development, in the light of current government proposals, and yet, there was recognition that the village would die without the input of some youth, which inevitably meant some carefully chosen, but limited in numbers, affordable housing for villagers. The ‘divide’ between the Station Road and the Mill Road ends of the village featured to a large extent in terms of lack of facilities, lack of interaction, a sense of lack of belonging and the physical difficulty of access. It was interesting to note overall that long standing and older residents were predominant in returning the questionnaire.

The blight for the overwhelming majority of respondents was the increase in general traffic, heavy goods vehicles, a perceived increase in the breaking of speed limits and a general lack of consideration by drivers whether 2-wheeled or 4-wheeled; a variety of methods of combating these problems were offered. 56% gave a conditional acceptance of the NDR expecting, in return, a reduction in traffic and removal of the HGV route.

Respondents also expressed concern that the current bus service had gaps in the timetable particularly in the evening, and coaches were being used which were unsuited to the elderly and disabled. Many felt that all trains should stop at Salhouse Station. Overgrown hedges and encroaching root growth, resulting in the narrowing of pavements, which affected mothers with children, the disabled and the elderly, attracted a high degree of criticism. A number of extra pavements were suggested, primarily Norwich Road. There was relatively little concern about Norwich airport expansion and noise. The need for improvement to the rural footpath, as a proper access route between the 2 ends of the village, was a major issue. The paucity of mobile phone coverage was heavily criticised.

The depressing state of the children’s play area and the minimal use of the playing field, other than for football, attracted most comment. The idea of utilising the playing field for more popular sports including hard court facilities, featured in a significant number of answers, both in the adult and the youth sections. A youth club, more activities for the retired villagers, a wider variety of general activities and increased use of available village venues were suggested. Although rural footpaths were very much appreciated they appeared underutilised, as did the Broad; the perennial subject of dog fouling featured in a large number of answers. Again, the need to improve the rural footpath between Station Road and Bell Corner was prominent. 42 households wanted allotments.

In the main, respondents were firmly against further development but acknowledged the need for some affordable housing, a few individual properties and barn conversions; green field development was not supported. They also favoured an expansion to the existing Conservation while the suggestion of environmental improvement schemes attracted some volunteers. The need for more benches, litter/dog bins, tourist signs and notice boards, featured in the responses.

In response to the question whether there should be more businesses in the village, the consensus seemed to be that if the business was in keeping with the character of the village and provided local jobs, then it could be considered. Sadly, the reality that some businesses had already closed and others were struggling had not escaped the notice of the respondents. Increased use of the Broad, with the addition of a tea room, provision of a farm shop, of better tourist facilities, and of parkland with public access, featured strongly in the answers. Development of Salhouse Hall was also favoured.

Respondents felt that Community Services, in general, were adequate. Some respondents were still experiencing difficulty in getting to Hoveton clinic and the hospital. Brown bin usage had increased significantly in a 3 year period and increased recycling was supported. The lack of visible policing featured strongly. Any events to improve community spirit were popular, in particular a village fete, village tea party and open gardens.

Lifelong Learning revealed that the recent price increases, together with the removal of discounts in the area of Adult Education, had affected the attendance at classes. There was a wide range of suggestions as to the type of adult education classes that might be provided in the village, computer literacy being one of the more popular. Issues relating to traffic at school drop off and pick up times, together with the replacement of the ‘mobile’ classrooms attracted a large number of comments while the majority expressed satisfaction with the means of transporting children to educational establishments outside the village.

Villagers were asked as to whether they voted, whether they considered their elected representatives were sufficiently aware of their concerns, and whether they felt they were kept informed of various Parish Council processes. The lack of knowledge of Parish Council elections was significant; about half felt that the Parish Councillors and the District Councillors were aware, while the majority of respondents either did not know, or stated that they were not kept sufficiently informed of Parish Council processes. SAGA proved to be the most popular form of communication and many stated it was read thoroughly; this contrasted with the 12% who stated they did not know what was going on in the village or know that there was a village website, albeit that it had been online for 3years.

Young respondents also appreciate our rural setting and relatively safe environment; however, there is a ‘yob’ element which they dislike. Transport just about meets their needs but is expensive.

The overriding opinion is that there are not enough leisure activities in the village. The play area is inadequate for children of all ages and therefore infrequently used. They would like equipment such as swings and a slide as well as more sports facilities on the playing field. There is nothing to do there and no organised activities other than football. Ball court games followed by rugby, cricket and a cycle track were the most popular ‘wished for’ activities. A youth club would be popular amongst a large age range.

The most disappointing element of the analysis of the whole questionnaire was that most respondents wanted something for the village but very few were prepared to give anything to achieve that something. There were comments to the effect that proposals to tree plant, form community groups to help older residents, etc were ‘the responsibility of the Parish Council’, and the like. The will to join in fundraising, even for an improved children’s play area, was equally lacklustre. ‘No’ was a regular answer to the questions regarding volunteers. Added to which, on a large number of general issues, the standard response was ‘don’t know’. There was a definite sense of a loss of community spirit in Salhouse.

Sadly, this apathy, and attitude, probably reinforces the view of some respondents that Salhouse is no longer a rural village, but is now a dormitory village where the majority of newcomers seek a life outside of the village and display a lack of commitment for the future of the community in which they live. The long-term consequences of this approach are depressingly evident in other communities.

Taking a back seat may no longer appear to be an option. The need to reinforce our village status has never been more important with recent press reports once again highlighting the probability of major development NE of Norwich.

Salhouse is only a stone’s throw from Rackheath and, Norwich City Council, in the long term, has its eyes on Rackheath. There is even rumour of ‘Rackheath New Town’ or a new village.

Unless the village of Salhouse wakes up to these realities, the prospects of it being absorbed into Rackheath and ultimately the City are all too real. At the very least, should Norwich achieve Unitary Status and then increase its boundary, Broadland would no longer be viable and Salhouse would be absorbed into either Great Yarmouth or North Norfolk. Either way, all those rural aspects which villagers currently appreciate will be rapidly diluted.

Positives

On the positive side, although the Final Report and Action Plan have yet to be completed, the Parish Council has already initiated action in response to the Parish Plan Questionnaire analysis.

On the subject of the playing field, it has formed a Playing Field Management Working Party to address the maintenance issues and to oversee the increased usage of the playing field, together with the improvement of the play area; it is also investigating the possibility of purchasing the land from Salhouse Charities to enable better use of the facility.

It has also formed a Communication Working Party, in conjunction with the Parish Plan Steering Group, to determine how best to improve communication with the village on Council matters. Meanwhile, 2 new notice boards had already been bought and will shortly be installed.

The Parish Council will be able to use the results of the Questionnaire in its consultation with Broadland District Council on the proposed housing developments in the village, namely the ex- service station and Salhouse Hall.

In the process of the Parish Plan Steering Group consultation with the police and Norfolk CC Highways, one of the many danger spots discussed was the ‘hills and holes’, on the B1140, albeit on the Parish boundary. A ‘quick win’ is that reflective marker posts which indicate the bend and dip have just been installed there.

Salhouse village website www.salhousevillage.org.uk continues to expand. It is updated regularly and the indications are that many more villagers are now using it. Currently, it is the only place where villagers can view the agenda and minutes of the Parish Council meetings, in order to keep up to date with processes.

Norfolk Constabulary have launched a scheme, already well used in other counties, of training volunteers to use a handheld speed gun to monitor traffic speeds; the scheme is known as Community Speedwatch. Volunteers would not be used in their own areas, for obvious reasons, but the aim is to support the police in monitoring traffic speed in rural areas. A number of villagers put their names forward at the Open Day and these will be passed on to the police by the Parish Council. In the light of current pressures on the police resources, the implementation of this initiative will hopefully reap benefits on the main roads through the village.

As a result of lobbying by Salhouse School hierarchy, the implementation of the 20mph speed restriction on Cheyney Ave is imminent and funding is now available to replace 2 of the mobile classrooms and the toilets. Already, some parents are parking elsewhere and walking their children to school and the School buildings are available for use to other activities in the village.

Several volunteers have come forward to help start up a Youth Club and it is hoped that, with the help of Norfolk Children’s Services, one might be up and running in the not too distant future.

Safer Neighbourhood policing has been introduced in recent months. Our local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) attended the Open Day and was interacting with villagers.

Work now starts on committing the analysis to paper in the form of a Final Report together with an Action Plan, to address issues in the short, medium and long-term. We aim to have a copy of the Household report in your door with the Spring 2008 SAGA.