Orford and Gedgrave Parish...
Transcript of Orford and Gedgrave Parish...
Orford and Gedgrave Parish Plan 2005
PRODUCED BY THE COMMUNITY OF ORFORD AND GEDGRAVE
with help from
and
Please develop carefully
“We are very fortunate in our environment
and in the range of facilities Orford has
(shops, garage, pubs etc.).
We must ensure we keep these.
The village should be allowed
slowly and organically to grow
in order to remain
a working community”
Orford and Gedgrave
The early history
The early history of the formation of Orford Ness, and the construction of the river walls, both very
significant in the development of any sort of a settlement at Orford, is unknown. Two documents predating
the construction of the castle refer to a market and a causeway, so it seems that there was certainly a
village of sorts in the early 12th century.
The Castle and the development of the town of Orford
Orford’s fortunes changed dramatically when King
Henry II chose Orford as the site on which to build
a new castle. Development of the town followed
the castle. Trade increased and merchant guilds
were formed during the Middle Ages. Orford’s
market was held on Mondays with an annual fair
on August 24th, St Bartholomew’s day. On July
7th 1579, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the
burgesses of Orford acquired a charter which
incorporated the town as a free borough with a
common seal and with power to hold property and
to hold a court.
The corporation was to consist of a mayor, eight
portmen (in most boroughs called aldermen), and twelve capital burgesses. Orford began sending two
representatives to Parliament and the town continued to send two MPs to Westminster until 1832. Orford
castle was the property of the Kings of England for just over 150 years until 1336 when King Edward III
sold it to Robert of Ufford, Earl of Suffolk and it remained in private hands until Sir Arthur Churchman
bought it in 1928 and presented it to the nation. The first mayor of Orford was James Coe who acquired
property in Orford, including the lease on Chantry and Raydon Marshes. When he died in 1591 he left the
leases, money and land in Castle Hill to the corporation to be used for charitable purposes. He also gave a
silver gilt mace still owned by the Orford Town Trust. The Orford Town Trust became the custodian
trustees of the castle and it was opened to the public in 1930. In 1962 the castle and the responsibility for
its upkeep were transferred to the Ministry of Works, later the Department of the Environment and then
English Heritage.
Signs of decline
The first office-holders under the 1579 charter were a group of men who had worked hard to raise the
money needed to petition the Queen for the charter. The petition stated that the town was in a state of ruin
and decay as economic conditions had undoubtedly worsened over the previous 50 or so years, due to the
downturn in the fishing industry, continental wars disrupting
trade, and piracy. Access to the river through the shifting shingle
bar at the tip of Orford Ness became more difficult as boats
increased in size. The corporation was responsible for the quay
and for regulating the fisheries and oyster beds in the river and
they took pains to keep outsiders away. Many boats were
engaged in the coastal trade exporting wool and dairy produce
and importing coal. Keeping the quay in repair was a constant
preoccupation and great expense to the inhabitants until it was
let on a repairing lease in 1743 and sold in 1813 to the Marquis
of Hertford. It is now back in the ownership of the New Orford
Town Trust. The quay along with the river and the river bed,
which, unusually for a tidal river, are also owned by the Town
Trust, are a source of revenue from mooring, fishing and landing
charges to this day.
Hard times
The difficult trading conditions hinted at when Orford acquired its charter became a reality within 100
years. In 1673 Orford was described as “in former times a Town of good account for fishing, but that trade
being lost, the Town cannot find itself”. The hearth tax returns of the following year record 5 empty
properties, 20 households too poor to pay the tax and only 37 households able to pay. Daniel Defoe
described Orford in 1722 as “once a good Town, but now decayed”.
Later history
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Orford, having lost the outstanding economic prosperity it had
enjoyed in the later Middle Ages, became more and more dependent on the owners of the Sudbourne
Estate, the principal landowners and employers in the district. The town assumed much of the character of
an estate village, but the population climbed steeply to over 1200, almost twice that of today. The Orford
Town Trust was constituted in 1889 to hold and administer the property of the old corporation and in 1996
the New Orford Town Trust was formed from the former Orford Town Trust and three other Orford
charities.
The Town Lands and relief of the poor
The rent income from houses and land belonging to the corporation was applied to poor relief thus
reducing the amount of rates paid by the householders. Some of the Town Lands were sold to private
individuals, but much has been used for the provision of housing including Bakers Lane and the Town
Farm Estate. The Town Marsh, now the Quay Street car park, continues to be a useful source of revenue
to this day. In 1902, after the old corporation had been dissolved and the Orford Town Trust set up in its
place, the present Town Hall was built on the Market Square. Additional rooms were added in 2001 along
with extensive refurbishment to allow the building to continue to be used for village functions.
The current position
The village is now administered by a combination of elected bodies.
At the highest level we are answerable to Central Government and the laws that they lay down
Suffolk County Council is responsible for the major decisions which affect Orford and the rest of Suffolk
County Councillor: Rosie Clarke
Suffolk Coastal District Council determine policy for local planning and environmental services etc.
District Councillor: Ray Herring
Orford and Gedgrave Parish Council administers local decisions
Chairman of the Parish Council: Sue Johnston
The New Orford Town Trust, which is represented by the parish councillors as trustee, continues to be
responsible for the assets belonging to the village
Chairman of The New Orford Town Trust: Ian Thornton
Town Clerk: Rosie Keeble
Treasurer: Valerie van Leeuwerden
Chairman of Riverside Committee: Tony Logan
Committee Members: Colin Barry; Keble Paterson; Matthew Smy; Roger Hipwell
Chairman of Estates Committee: Ian Thornton
Committee Members: Joy Castle; Derek Forbes; Roger Smith
Chairman of Highways Committee: Ron Mellor
Committee Members: Margaret Green; Margaret Smith; Phillip Tricker
A number of charitable trusts manage various other assets and activities in the village including the Orford
Recreation Ground, Esmond House Day Centre and Chapman House Surgery.
Where responses to the Parish Plan questionnaire suggest actions, the relevant responsible body or
bodies are identified in the observations or comments.
Orford and Gedgrave Parish Plan
2005
The Orford and Gedgrave Parish Plan has been produced by a
small team of volunteers who believe that the opportunity provided
by central government for funding a community wide poll to gather
the views of everyone in the village who was prepared to respond
is fundamental to developing the village as the majority of residents
would prefer.
The quote on the front of this document is taken directly from one
of the questionnaires and it succinctly summarises the views
expressed by the majority of the respondents.
We trust that decision making bodies will listen and take action in accordance with these views
Orford and Gedgrave Parish Plan
The Orford and Gedgrave Parish Plan has been produced from the responses to a questionnaire which
was hand delivered to every household and business in the parish. The questionnaire was developed by a
small team of volunteers from a general purpose parish plan software package with the content of the final
document being modified to incorporate many comments and recommendations made by visitors to an
open weekend in Orford Town Hall over the late May Bank Holiday in 2005. The cost of the production of
the plan, including the printing of questionnaires and reports, has been taken by the Parish Council (£250),
New Orford Town Trust (£250) and Rural Action East (£2,500). All the members of the development team
gave their time voluntarily.
When the original decision was made to go ahead with the production of a Parish Plan, there were many
people who questioned the need but the results do appear to provide strong evidence that the village is,
and should continue to be, a vibrant and caring community with good opportunities for encouraging the
younger generation to play a vital role in its development.
The major organisations and businesses with an interest in the future development of the parish were
invited to contribute to the production of the plan and about half of those invited accepted and made some
contribution. Coincidentally the response rate for the questionnaires was also around fifty percent with 221
being returned representing a total of 484 individuals recording their views on the topics covered by the
document. The response rate is disappointing but it is above the national parish plan average of forty
percent returns. Slightly more than eighty percent of the households that responded identified Orford as
being their main residence with slightly less than eighty percent of the individuals living in the parish for
more than 4 nights a week.
The general view of the majority of the respondents is that the village has a lot to offer to residents and
visitors alike and that, with a little effort, a number of the shortcomings can be overcome. The village
school made a significant contribution to the preparation of the questionnaire with a project to promote the
pupil's ideas on how their village should develop. Surprisingly the youngsters want very little to change as
long as additional facilities can be provided in the village to allow them to enjoy it more. The overwhelming
feeling across all age groups is that the village should continue to develop slowly as a working community,
with efforts being made to guard against the effects of the actions taken to protect the economic benefits
brought by the tourist trade spoiling the community spirit that exists in one or more forms for the
permanent residents. Where investment is required there appears to be a preference for this to be
prioritised for residents and not visitors, who are accepted as a necessary imposition on daily life in the
village as they are a major source of income for the Town Trust through car park charges, mooring and
launching fees. The increasing number of visitors also helps to ensure that many local businesses, who
appear to have little direct role in village life, continue to provide services and employment for the village
and the surrounding area.
Although the village does maintain a balance between permanent residents, tourists and weekenders
there is a concern that this balance is at risk with the increasing numbers of properties being sold to non
residents. There is a strong feeling that more should be done to enable younger people to be part of the
working community with suitable housing and employment being available and more amenities provided
within the village. There is strong support for the provision of an upgraded sports facility on the Recreation
Ground providing improved changing rooms for the current sports facilities as well as additional resources
for indoor activities as well as support for an updated facility for the Church Hut. It is important that
initiatives do not develop totally independently, as has happened in the past, and that the proposed village
visitor centre feasibility study which will include the museum, the castle and car parking should take a
village wide view and not be limited to these areas alone.
The New Orford Town Trust has a responsibility to the village to ensure that the village and its assets are
maintained and developed for the benefit of the current and future residents. This may require a
fundamental change to the way the Trust has historically subsidised the precept requested from the
District Council and the financial management of the income and expenses of the Trust.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 to 4 5 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 59 60 to 64 65 to 74 75 to 84 85+
Male 6 10 13 8 14 31 58 29 49 25 5
Female 10 12 9 4 6 36 60 29 38 27 5
Orford and Gedgrave Parish Plan Questionnaire
the results of the survey
Question 1 How many people normally live in your household?
From the total of two hundred and twenty one questionnaires returned, four hundred and eighty four
people were represented in the responses.
Observations/Comments
The number of returned questionnaires represents slightly more than fifty percent of the total households
and businesses in the village. A copy of the questionnaire was hand delivered to every property and
attempts were made to hand collect. Where collection was not possible, notes were left for completed
forms to be delivered to Orford Town Hall. Residents were also reminded with notices in the Village Voice.
It has to be assumed that the responses are representative of the views of those people who take an
interest in the future development of the village.
Question 2 Please show the ages of the people in your household?
Of the four hundred and eighty one people who gave their age, seventy two were under eighteen, two
hundred and five were between eighteen and sixty, one hundred and forty five were between sixty and
seventy five and sixty two over seventy five, ten of these over eighty five. The male/female balance was
almost equal.
Observations/Comments
The breakdown of ages and the balance of the sexes again suggests that there is a fair cross section of
views from the village.
Question 3 Is this dwelling your main residence?
Eighty three percent identified Orford as their main residence.
Observations/Comments
The balance between full time residents and second home owners in the village is unknown so the
predominance of residents in this poll may or may not be representative. However it does suggest that the
views do strongly represent the full time residents of the village.
Question 4 What type of dwelling?
Approximately one third live in
detached houses, another third in
semi-detached, twenty percent in
terraced houses and slightly over ten
percent in bungalows. One flat, one
specially adapted house and one
other also responded.
Observations/Comments
This is probably also representative
of the general mix of property in the
village.
Question 5 How many people attend education in your household?
Five children attend Tadpoles, three attend Shrimps, twenty
two are at Orford Primary School, sixteen attend secondary
school outside the village, one attends a special needs
school and eight are in higher education.
Observations/Comments
Orford has a significant number of young people whose
hopes and aspirations should be considered in any plans for
the future development of the village.
Question 6 Are any children unable to take part in after
school activities?
Two children miss out because there is a lack of transport
home and two because of the distance between school and home.
Observations/Comments
It may be that these are the same two children in each category but it is important that none of the local
residents of whatever age are excluded from activities enjoyed by their friends.
Question 7 Please state gender
Fifty two percent of the respondents are male with forty eight percent female.
Observations/Comments
This reinforces the fact that this appears to be a representative poll.
Question 8 What age group do you belong to?
Of the four hundred and eighteen people who answered this question, twenty one were between eleven
and fifteen, ten between sixteen and seventeen, thirteen between eighteen and twenty four, sixty three
between twenty five and forty four, one hundred and twelve between forty five and fifty nine, fifty two
between sixty and sixty four, eighty six between sixty five and seventy four, fifty two between seventy five
and eighty four and nine at eighty five and over.
Observations/Comments
Further evidence of the validity of the results.
Question 9 Are you permanently resident in Orford?
Eighty percent are permanently resident.
Observations/Comments
See question 3
Question 10 How long have you lived in Orford?
Fourteen respondents have
lived in the village for less than
one year, eighty six between
one and five years, one
hundred and eleven between
six and fifteen years, seventy
three between sixteen and
twenty five years, fifty three
between twenty six and fifty
years and fifty one for more
than fifty years. Fifty five have
lived in the village for their
whole life.
Observations/Comments
Although the age of the fifty
five who have lived in the
village for their whole life is unknown, the ratios show a good spread of length of residency.
Question 11 What should be encouraged in and around Orford?
Over fifty percent were not in favour of tourism development or additional attractions, sixteen percent had
no strong opinion and less than a quarter were in favour of encouraging more tourism. Sixty five percent
felt that overnight facilities for camping and caravanning were not to be encouraged with twelve percent in
favour and twelve percent with no strong opinion. Bed and breakfast was viewed favourably by fifty three
percent with slightly more than twelve percent against. Almost sixty percent supported extra river trips and
a ferry to Aldeburgh (Slaughden). Over fifty percent favoured more small business development, around
twenty percent not in favour and fifteen percent had no strong opinion, although forty two percent thought
such development should not be small scale industrial workshops and thirty four percent thought they
should. More than seventy percent believe that more jobs are needed with slightly over ten percent
against.
Observations/Comments
This shows a strong feeling against encouraging more visitors into a village that already suffers from a
large element of overcrowding which puts a strain on the limited facilities available. Orford’s character is,
to some extent, fashioned by its location at the end of a road and it is this mixed blessing shared with sim-
ilar villages like Walberswick, that causes many of the traffic problems referred to later in this report. Un-
less some solution can be found this could reach the same state as Walberswick where car park full notic-
es are posted at the start of the approach road in Blythburgh at busy times. It also shows that there is
strong feeling that the village should continue to evolve as a working community with local employment
being a priority.
Question 12 Which visitor activities are suited to Orford?
More than three quarters saw Nature Study and Bird Watching, Sightseeing, Painting and Photography,
Fishing, Walking and Sailing and Boating as suitable, with around a half favouring Road Cycling, Farm
Visits or Trails and Horse Riding but less than a third in support of Off Road Cycling, Shooting and Water
Skiing.
Observations/Comments
This suggests that any facilities for visitors should remain low key as current.
Question 13 How important is Orford School?
Over ninety five percent regard Orford Primary
School, Orford Tadpoles and Orford Shrimps as
important with eighty percent rating them as very
important.
Observations/Comments
Help should be given from whatever quarters to
ensure the continued functioning of all these
organisations. Where funding is under threat it
would appear that the village would like to see
priority given to the education of the young.
The present situation where the Shrimps is
temporarily closed down, should be rectified
without delay.
Question 14 What do you use your car for?
Around ninety percent use a car for leisure and shopping, around a third for transport to work or business
journeys and roughly ten percent for transporting young people to school or college or voluntary Social
work.
Observations/Comments
Although the majority of car use is non essential, there is still a significant requirement for ensuring that
residents are able to travel freely.
Question 15 What parking problems do you experience at home?
Less than a third experienced problems with lack
of off road parking, lack of a place to park at
home, nowhere to park, visitors taking private
parking spaces or cars blocking entrances, but
slightly over a third suffered from tourist traffic
blocking the road.
Observations/Comments
This reinforces the view that day to day facilities
are adequate but that the influx of volumes of
additional traffic does cause problems.
Alternative parking facilities or better parking
control could ease a cause of increasing
frustration in the village.
Question 16 How often do you use public transport services?
Over seventy percent never used the bus, coach, community bus or taxis with only a third using the train
once a month.
Observations/Comments
This response may be misleading as it fails to answer the question why the services are not used. Better
scheduling, routing or advertising of buses and a locally based taxi service may increase the use of these
services.
Question 17 What is your major means of transport?
Almost ninety percent use their car with less than five percent walking or using a bike.
Observations/Comments
See answer to question16
Question 18 What do you use the bus for?
The small percentage who use the bus regularly use it for
work or shopping while the occasional users use it for
shopping, social or leisure or to catch a train or coach.
Observations/Comments
It would appear that, although the bus is not heavily used,
it is an important means of transport for the few who use it
for work or for shopping outside the village. It would prob-
ably benefit from better publicity such as additional and up
to date timetables on display and maybe in the LINK and
Village Voice. Again revised scheduling or routing
may increase use.
Question 19 How could the bus and taxi services be improved?
Almost three quarters thought that an Orford based taxi service should be encouraged, and over a third
would like the parish to hold regular discussions with the bus company to amend timetables, integrate bus-
es with train times, increase frequency and alter routes. Less than ten percent would alter the seating ca-
pacity but over fifty percent would encourage a car sharing scheme.
Observations/Comments
There appears to be an opportunity for a locally based taxi service. The bus is operated under the Rural
Bus Grant Scheme which underwrites the high cost through Suffolk County Council. It would seem
reasonable for the Parish Council to communicate any suggested variations from the village through
Suffolk County Council to the bus company.
Question 20 Do you have difficulty getting to health services?
The majority do not have problems or didn’t answer this question. Of those who did answer there were a
number who would like to see the bus routed via Ipswich Hospital as well as better bus services to Leiston
for the optician and Saxmundham for the dentist. There was also some criticism of the hours of availability
for the Chapman House Surgery with its lack of weekend opening and an appointment system to allow
people to schedule visits around work.
Observations/Comments
Although the majority are able to reach the services there appears to be a case for discussing bus routing
with the County Council and availability with the surgery.
Question 21 What do you think about the number of new houses built in Orford over the last ten
years?
Almost forty percent thought that the number
of new houses is about right, a quarter
thought there were too many and they were
too big and twelve and a half percent thought
there were too few. Well over half considered
new housing to be too expensive. Less than
ten percent had no opinion!
Observations/Comments
These views should be borne in mind when
the Parish and District Councils determine
any Village Plan or individual planning
applications.
Question 22 What kind of accommodation do you think Orford needs?
Seventeen percent considered that no further homes
are needed. Two thirds thought that there should be
more accommodation for young people and small
families. Between a quarter and a third thought there
should be more housing for single people or elderly
people while only ten percent considered large family
homes necessary and less than two percent want
executive homes.
Observations/Comments
These views should be borne in mind when the Parish
and District Councils determine any Village Plan or
individual planning applications.
Question 23 Is there a need for more accommodation in Orford?
Two thirds would like a scheme for the sale of new homes to local people and half would like local
authority or housing association properties. One third thought low cost housing is needed with one quarter
favouring shared ownership. Twenty percent preferred owner occupied properties and eighteen percent
want more sheltered or adapted housing. Less than one percent felt there is a need for more holiday
homes or houses for holiday lets. Fifteen percent saw no need for any additional houses.
Observations/Comments
This should be borne in mind when the Parish and District Councils determine any Village Plan or
individual planning applications.
Question 24 What type of housing development would be acceptable in Orford?
Well over half would prefer to see
redundant buildings being converted
to provide additional accommodation
while just under half favoured single
dwellings in controlled locations. For-
ty percent would accept small groups
of less than ten and a quarter would
be prepared to see expansion on the
edge of the village. Under fourteen
percent favoured infilling of existing
gardens and spaces while under
eight percent would accept carefully
designed larger groups. Sixteen per-
cent considered that no development would be acceptable.
Observations/Comments
These views should be borne in mind when the Parish and District Councils determine any Village Plan or
individual planning applications.
Question 25 How do you rate the care services in Orford?
The responses to this question are limited with the majority using the surgery and the district nurse and
over ninety percent rating these reasonable to good. Although the response was low for maternity care a
quarter of those who used the service rated it poor.
Observations/Comments
The lack of response on the majority of care services suggests that there may be a lack of awareness of
the services available. Possibly a low level marketing campaign to raise awareness through Village Voice,
LINK and public notice boards.
Question 26 What type of anti-social behaviour concerns you?
Two thirds are concerned about traffic speed while
over a half are concerned about dog mess and
dogs not on leads. Around one third felt that litter,
theft and vandalism worried them with twenty
percent concerned about drunkenness and drug
taking. Twelve percent weren’t concerned.
Observations/Comments
The new forty mile an hour signs may improve the
speeding situation but there still appears to be
action needed in the village. There are a number of
dog mess bins around the village but this seems to
be an education problem with the owners who
could be tactfully made aware of their responsibilities whenever there is a problem.
Question 27 What measures do you think are needed?
Almost three quarters believe there should be more activities for young people while more than half see a
need for a greater police presence. Around a third felt that there should be better consultation between the
police and local people, more drug or drink education or prevention and improved street lighting. One
hundred and eleven people would like to extend and support the neighbourhood watch scheme.
Observations/Comments
The Parish Council has been attempting to resurrect the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme with little
success. Maybe the one hundred and eleven people could contact Councillor Roger Smith who would be
delighted to hear from them. The Community Policeman is invited to attend the Parish Council meetings
where the public are free to attend and discuss issues with him.
Question 28 How do you rate the environmental services in Orford?
Over two thirds rated the majority of services reasonable to good. The exceptions were street lighting
which twenty one percent rated as poor and car parking with a poor rating of thirty two percent.
Observations/Comments
The whole issue of traffic in general and car parking in particular is a recurring theme throughout this
project. The public car parks may be of sufficient capacity to accommodate all the cars that need to be
parked but again there appears to be an education problem with ensuring that people utilise them and not
restrict the highways.
Question 29 Would or do you use local recycling services?
Local interest in recycling is high with over ninety percent using the bottle bank, over seventy percent the
newspaper bank and more than fifty percent the can bank. Fifty six percent would use a public bulk
rubbish tip, fifty three percent a garden waste skip and over forty percent a plastic and a cardboard bank.
Thirty five percent would use a clothing bank.
Observations/Comments
Parish Council and New Orford Town Trust to consider expanding the range of recycling options available
in the village.
Question 30 How often do you use the local shops and services?
Eighty percent use local food shops and fifty percent the Post Office on a
daily or weekly basis, over fifty percent use the garage on a daily or
weekly basis and forty percent have papers delivered daily or weekly.
Few people use the local gift shops and very few visit the Castle, the
Ness or use the mobile library
Observations/Comments
It is important to continue to use the local shops to ensure that they
continue to operate in the village against the stiff opposition from large
out of town stores.
Question 31 Why do you shop in Orford?
Eighty one percent like to support local shops, seventy five
percent need “last minute” items, sixty three percent save
time and fifty six percent save on transport costs. A third
enjoy the social contact, twenty percent believe they give
good value and ten percent don’t have transport to go
elsewhere.
Observations/Comments
See answer to question 30
Question 32 Why do you shop outside Orford?
Eighty six percent shop out of Orford for more choice, sixty
seven because goods are cheaper and thirteen percent
because it is convenient to their place of work or parking is
easier.
Observations/Comments
See answer to question 30
Question 33 What do you use the local Post Office for?
Ninety six percent use the postal services, forty one percent to obtain cash or foreign currency and thirty
four percent for TV licence or paying bills. Less than twenty percent use Girobank or savings certificates,
cash pensions or allowances or take information leaflets.
Observations/Comments
See answer to question 30
Question 34 Should Orford have an additional children’s playground?
The majority would prefer to see the existing
playground improved and upgraded with additional
and better equipment and safer access for children
from other parts of the village. Other locations were
suggested; Quay Meadow to integrate with the
conservation area and north east of the village in
the Potkins Lane area to remove the need for
children to cross Ipswich Road..
Observations/Comments
Initiate a review of the existing equipment and
recommend suitable improvements and seek
funding. Possibly jointly with Parish and District
Councils, New Orford Town Trust and the Recreation Ground Trust.
Question 35 What should be done with the Recreation Ground Hut?
Ninety percent want something positive to be
done with almost fifty percent favouring rebuild
and over forty percent preferring renovation. Six
percent thought it should be left as it is and three
percent favoured demolishing and not replacing.
Observations/Comments
Initiate a review of the options and seek funding,
possibly jointly with the playground with Parish
and District and County Councils, New Orford
Town Trust and the Orford Recreation Ground
Trust. The importance of sport in the run up to the
2012 Olympics could help fundraising for sports
based projects like this.
Question 36 What facilities would you like to see in the Recreation Ground Hut and the
surrounding area?
A large percentage would like to see the Hut replaced with a small multipurpose sports centre providing
indoor sports facilities and gym, showers, toilets and changing rooms for outdoor sports, plus the facility to
host social events indoors. Combined with this an open space with a kitchen area to provide tea and
coffee and a bar area to be separated from the main facilities. This to be incorporated with an improved
playground and additional parking.
Observations/Comments
See answer to question 35
Question 37 What should be done with the Church Hut?
Sixty four percent were in favour of something
positive being done to improve the building
with fifty two percent suggesting rebuilding and
twelve percent renovation. Five percent wanted
it to stay as it is and thirty percent suggested it
should be demolished and not replaced.
Observations/Comments
The building belongs to St. Bartholomew’s
Church who have obtained planning permission
to rebuild and they are currently attempting to
raise funds for this and for fitting out the new
building
.
Question 38 What should the Church Hut be used for?
Although the hut belongs to St. Bartholomew’s Church who determine its use, there were suggestions that
it could be made available for any small groups who need a venue and possibly an occasional tea shop.
Observations/Comments
St. Bartholomew’s Parochial Church Council to determine use once remedial work is completed.
Question 39 What sports activities do you go out of Orford for?
Almost seventy percent travel for swimming with twenty percent for golf and keep fit and YOGA. Seven
percent leave for football and four to six percent travel for bowls, snooker, pool or squash.
Observations/Comments
There would appear to be a strong case for a local swimming pool but this is unlikely to be financially
viable although the rest of interests could be satisfied with more facilities in the village.
Question 40 What facilities should be provided in Orford for young people?
More than one hundred people would like to see some form of skate board ramp or a BMX track and a
teenage shelter. Around 150 would like to see music and dance lessons and a drama club, while over two
hundred favour football, youth sailing, youth clubs, scouts, guides and cubs.
Observations/Comments
There would appear to be strong support for activities which could be hosted in a refurbished Church Hut
and the Recreation Ground Hut. Commitment from these interested parties could help to justify
investment.
Question 41 What entertainment activities do you go out of Orford for?
Well over two hundred travel for the cinema, theatre, music and exhibitions while around twenty percent
travel for dancing.
Observations/Comments
There may be opportunities here for local entrepreneurs to consider promoting entertainment in the village.
The Town Hall has hosted film shows in the past with the newspaper kiosk acting as the projection room
but modern technology could offer a more convenient solution.
Question 42 How regularly do you use Orford’s amenities?
The Quay is the most used amenity with the river for boating
and fishing then the Recreation Ground and the Hut then the
Town Hall and finally Esmond House and the Church Hut.
Observations/Comments
There are many potentially high cost projects being considered
for short term funding but the figures suggest that there should
be popular support to help raise funds. The Quay requires
major refurbishment if it is to remain usable, both the Church
Hut and the Recreation Ground Hut need significant invest-
ment and Esmond House is looking for funding for day to day
operations.
Question 43 Where do you get information about events taking place in Orford?
Nearly three hundred people rely on Notice Boards, the Link and Village Voice for information with less
than twenty percent relying on local papers, the Post Office or local radio.
Observations/Comments
The village notice boards and local newsletters do offer good marketing opportunities for local events and
should be encouraged with regular contributions for print.
Question 44 Are there sufficient telephone boxes in Orford
Two thirds considered the number to be satisfactory or adequate with ten percent feeling that there should
be more. A quarter had no opinion.
Observations/Comments
Although the response is positive, the existing facilities are important and should be maintained and
protected.
Question 45 Do you have difficulty with reception in Orford?
Mobile telephone reception is poor for over eighty percent of respondents, radio and television reception
is difficult for almost 150 people with digital TV and radio also scoring low with a quarter of respondents
reporting poor reception.
Observations/Comments
The proposal to site mobile telephone masts in the village was rejected but it may be worth the parish
council reconsidering this if the problem needs addressing. Television and radio reception are affected
because of legislation which prohibits the use of more powerful transmitters close to the coast and the aer-
ial based FREEVIEW service is not available for this area. However the equivalent service FREESAT
from Sky does offers high quality radio and television reception via a minidish for a single fee and no
subscription charge.
Question 46 Have you attended a meeting of Orford Parish Council?
Two hundred and forty people have
never attended a Parish Council
meeting.
Observations/Comments
The Parish Council meets once a
month and these meetings are
immediately followed by a New
Orford Town Trust meeting, they are
both open to the public. The first part
of the meeting provides an
opportunity for questions to be raised
by the public.
Question 47 How well does the local council publicise its decisions and activities?
Over fifty percent considered that decisions and activities were reasonably well or very well publicised,
thirty percent thought they were badly publicised and the remainder had no opinion.
Observations/Comments
See observations for question 46. There may also be a case for more detail of council meetings to be
reported in Village Voice or some other form of report such as a parish website.
Question 48 How do you feel about the local council’s council tax spending?
Almost forty percent have no idea
how the money is spent, thirty
percent were quite or very satisfied,
twenty percent were quite or very
dissatisfied and the remainder had no
opinion.
Observations/Comments
See observations for question 46.
The Parish Council and the Town
Trust publish their accounts annually
and these are available at the annual
meeting of the council where they
can be questioned and discussed.
Question 49 Would you be
prepared to pay a slightly higher
council tax for local needs?
Forty five percent would be prepared, forty percent would not and the rest had no opinion.
Observations/Comments
The funding for local needs has to be raised if we are to continue to enjoy the benefits of the area in which
we live. It appears that whatever method of fundraising is applied a large number of people will be
disappointed.
Question 50 Do you think your local government representatives are sufficiently aware of local
concerns?
Almost sixty percent feel that the Parish Council is
quite or fully aware with eighteen percent feeling
they are not aware. This changes to thirty percent
each way for the District Council and reverses to
twenty percent and forty percent for the County
Council.
Observations/Comments
The District and County councillors are invited to
all Parish Council meetings but their attendance is
irregular although they do receive copies of the
minutes. Copies of the Parish Plan will be sent to
the councils,
Question 51 What is your opinion of the way the planning system is implemented by the Parish and
District Council?
Thirty percent have no opinion, almost fifty percent are quite or very dissatisfied with twenty percent quite
satisfied and less than two percent totally satisfied.
Observations/Comments
All planning applications are published before decisions are made. They are displayed before Parish
Council meetings and the planning system invites comment from interested parties. Objections are
considered as part of the planning process.
Question 52 How important is the quality of the countryside around and within Orford?
Eighty eight percent consider it very important, ten percent important with no one considering it not very
important. Less than two percent have no opinion.
Observations/Comments
It is obviously something that affects everyone in the community.
Question 53 How important are the features of the countryside?
Over eighty percent rated small woods, forests, hedges, ditches, meadows and fields, traditional farm
buildings, farm woods, marsh land, ponds and The Ness as important or very important with eighty five
percent rating the River Ore as very important. Modern farm buildings were not rated highly.
Observations/Comments
This appears to reinforce the view throughout the project that the natural landscape of the area is very
important and should be protected by the authorities responsible for its maintenance.
Question 54 How should we protect and enhance the local environment of Orford?
The highest response at between fifty and seventy five percent thought that this could be helped by
controlling all building development, controlling car parking, providing more local employment and
extending the recycling schemes. Between forty and fifty percent considered that generally controlling
traffic, promoting energy saving, improving public transport and encouraging renewable energy schemes
would also help. Just over thirty percent felt that community composting and improving rights of way would
help.
Observations/Comments
Another confirmation that protection of the traditional look and feel of the Orford environment should be
paramount when planning any changes which may affect it.
Question 55 What could be done to improve the environment of Orford?
Almost ninety percent thought that keeping the village clean and tidy and
stopping unused houses falling into disrepair should be the top priority
for improving the look of the village while between seventy and eighty
percent felt that looking after woodlands and preserving single trees was
important and sixty to seventy percent wanted more effort in cleaning up
the foreshore and a campaign to reduce litter. Fifty to fifty five percent
want more trees and hedges planted while the “fors” and “againsts”
keeping hedges short and tidy were equally split at around forty five
percent each. Few people wanted roadside verges to be allowed to grow
or for any trees to be cut down
Observations/Comments
This again confirms that the majority would support action for compelling
house owners to take responsibility for the look of their properties and
residents helping to ensure that litter is cleared regularly.
Question 56 What do you think could be done to protect wildlife in Orford?
Between eighty and ninety percent favoured managing the river and its surroundings and maintaining
ponds, scrub and trees. Seventy five percent want a campaign against litter and rubbish and to reduce
pollution in the countryside. Eighty six people would like to see the creation of more local nature reserves.
Observations/Comments
The clearing of rubbish and pollution is not only seen as an exercise to improve the look of the
environment but also as something to improve the chances of survival for wildlife. Maybe the neglected
pond behind the village sign, near the school, could be made into a nature reserve.
Question 57 What difficulties do you experience using local footpaths and bridleways?
One hundred and twenty six people have experienced no difficulties while the same number have
experienced difficulties with nettles or bushes and one hundred and fifteen suffered from water or mud on
paths. One hundred and one people struggled through crops on paths while seventy two were impeded by
missing footpaths or paths not joining. Between twenty six and sixty six people experienced difficulties with
no signposts, farm animals, barbed wire, high stiles and locked gates, while ten experienced difficulties
with other footpath users.
Observations/Comments
All incidents of footpath problems should be reported, in detail, to Suffolk County Council Highways
Department who have responsibility for ensuring the freedom of use for all public footpaths in the county.
Question 58 What do you think could be done with roads, lanes and paths to make the local
countryside more attractive?
In order of importance the following were listed: Repair stiles and bridges, signpost paths and bridleways,
stop vehicle damage to road verges, extend access along river walls, remove unnecessary sign posts,
make paths accessible to those with disabilities, reduce traffic, keep roadside verges mown and tidy and
let roadsides grow for wildlife.
Observations/Comments
There would appear to be a case for lobbying the County Council to review all roads, lanes and paths to
address the comments listed.
Question 59 How do you rate the appearance of Orford?
The general feeling is that the appearance of Orford is reasonable to good although twenty five percent
think the Market Square is poor.
Observations/Comments
This doesn't fit with the general view that a village anti litter campaign is necessary but it may be
another confirmation that people wish very little to change.
Question 60 Would you be prepared to help with the maintenance of the village?
One hundred and sixteen people are prepared to help with cleaning the foreshore while forty four would be
prepared to help with mowing the churchyard. Forty would survey trees and hedge and thirty eight are
prepared to maintain footpaths, Thirty three offered to maintain Quay Meadow and thirty two would be
prepared to clean the village ponds.
Observations/Comments
As the Parish Plan questionnaire was anonymous the individuals who are prepared to help should make
themselves known to the responsible bodies who would appreciate the volunteers. Possibly a note to the
Town Clerk would enable the information to be passed on.
Question 61 What should be done with Orford Quay?
Sixty two percent would like to see the Quay repaired to
maintain the current facilities while twenty seven percent
would like additional facilities to be developed. Twenty
percent would like a new landing stage created and sixteen
percent would like to encourage commercial development of
the Quay and the foreshore. Twenty percent thought it should
be left as it is.
Observations/Comments
To leave the Quay as it is, is not possible as the structure
continues to deteriorate and may be unusable in a relatively
short period of time without action being taken. The Quay
provides essential services to river users and is a magnet for visitors to the village. Plans are currently
underway with New Orford Town Trust to determine the best value option for providing and funding the
required refurbishment and any new facilities.
Question 62 How do you think Orford should be kept clean and tidy?
Fifty five percent would like extra dog litter bins to be provided while thirty seven percent thought that
paying for a litter warden and having a spring clean day annually would help. Twenty six percent favoured
entering a best kept village competition with twenty three percent favouring paying for extra road
sweeping. Twenty two percent would like a traffic warden and thirteen percent want notices put up.
Observations/Comments
There appears to be a combination of volunteer effort and paid wardens preferred for ensuring that the
village can be kept clean and tidy.
Question 63 How do you think the centre of Orford could be improved?
Thirty seven percent don't see any need for improvement while
thirty percent would like a park and walk scheme to relieve the
traffic congestion. Twenty three percent would like to see
pedestrian only areas, traffic calming measures and a traffic
warden while only fifteen percent favour a one way system.
Observations/Comments
Another vote for a careful approach to any changes to the village.
Question 64 Would you like to see some form of parking
control in Orford?
Fifty five percent would like to see some form of control while a
third would not. Eleven percent have no opinion.
Observations/Comments
Traffic and parking continues to be a major concern for the majority of residents.
Question 65 Where do you think there are major danger spots on Orford’s roads?
The major danger spots were identified as follows: QUAY STREET
CASTLE HILL
HIGHSTREET/DOCTORS LANE /BRUNDISH LANE
RIGHT TURN FROM FRONT STREET INTO SQUARE
MUNDAY'S LANE EXITS FROM RECREATION GROUND
DAPHNE ROAD/BROAD STREET CROSSROADS
ORFORD SCHOOL ENTRANCE
FRONT STREET
PARKING/MANOUEVRING IN SQUARE
PARKING ON MOST CENTRAL ROADS AT WEEKENDS
AND HOLIDAY SEASON
LACK OF FOOTPATHS - ALL LICENSED PREMISES EXIT
DIRECTLY ONTO HIGHWAY
Observations/Comments
The main danger spots appear to be caused by a general increase in the volume of traffic funnelling into a
network of unsuitable village streets via equally unsuitable access roads. The main car park is
unfortunately located at the least accessible point in the village requiring traffic to drive through the village
to reach the public parking area. There is probably justification for a detailed review to look at all aspects
of traffic flow into and through the village before the situation becomes totally unmanageable. This should
probably consider radical schemes including one way systems, no right turn into Market Hill, relocation or
replacement of car parking and pedestrian only or time controlled traffic areas.
Question 66 Would you support speed control measures in Orford?
Forty eight percent would like
to see a reduction in the
speed limit, thirty three
percent traffic calming and
twenty eight percent children
at play signs. Twenty four
percent see no need for
control measures and fifteen
percent would like more road
warning signs.
Observations/Comments
There looks to be support for
protecting the more
vulnerable members of our
community with controls for the safety of young children in the village.
Question 67 Would you like to see any additional road safety facilities?
Fifty eight percent would like more environmentally sensitive street lights while thirty eight percent would
just like more street lights. Twenty nine percent want more pavements, twenty seven percent more
footpaths and eighteen percent more cycle paths. Fifteen percent want dropped kerbs, fourteen percent a
one way system and twelve percent would like pelican crossings. Only four percent want traffic islands.
Observations/Comments
Over ninety percent would like to see improved lighting of some form or other while less than a third want
any other major changes.
Question 68 What do you think contributes to traffic problems in the village?
Fifty percent see a lack of residents only parking as the single biggest factor in traffic problems in the
village followed by forty six percent general congestion and forty percent traffic speed. Thirty percent are
concerned about lorry and tractor traffic and lack of parking in general with twenty three percent citing a
lack of traffic regulation or the lack of a park and walk scheme. Between fifteen and twenty percent blame
a lack of wider footpaths, a need for pedestrian only areas and pedestrian/traffic conflict.
Observations/Comments
The results are relatively obvious with the increasing volume of large commercial and farm vehicles and
visitor traffic manoeuvring around village roads that were designed for fewer and smaller vehicles.
Question 69 How do you think Orford could be improved?
Almost three quarters
would like to see empty
and derelict buildings
repaired, sixty three
percent would like a
tearoom or bar for a
village focus while fifty
seven percent would
favour free access to
the museum for all res-
idents and a regular
weekend ferry between
Orford and Aldeburgh
(Slaughden). Thirty
seven percent would
like more community
events like the village
feast and thirty percent would like a sports and leisure centre. Twenty eight percent would like more
flowers and shrubs and an annual music and arts festival, twenty six percent would like to make part of the
Town Square a pedestrian area and twenty five percent would like a regular pre-school play group. Less
than ten percent want a children's playground near the village centre.
Observations/Comments
The wish list is relatively conservative and many of the things could be achieved with little investment but
an enthusiasm to organise events. The ones that require investment are not unachievable with a common
desire to work together to improve the village for the whole community. A few may need legal action which
could take a little more effort.
Question 70 How should any improvements be funded?
Almost seventy percent believe
fundraising to be the preferred
funding method with sponsorship
and moderate council tax rises
appealing to fifty percent. Forty two
percent favour private contributions
and thirty percent franchising.
Observations/Comments
The record of fundraising in the
village is good. Recent projects
have included the Chapman House Surgery, over £300,000 for upgrading the Town Hall and £200,000 for
St. Bartholomew's Church.
Question 71 How would you like Orford to develop?
Sixty five percent want development to be slow and natural while forty six percent favour a working
community and thirty percent want it to stay as it is. Only ten percent want Orford to be a tourist centre,
less than five percent a retirement community and less than two percent a commuter community.
Observations/Comments
The general feeling that comes through the questionnaire is that the village should continue to develop
slowly with emphasis being placed on facilities for the residents and not visitors. The village community is
considered to be important and investment should provide facilities to encourage the younger generation
to feel part of the community and to get greater enjoyment and satisfaction from being part of a vibrant
working caring community.
Question 72 What is most important to you about living in Orford?
The responses to this question include:
"Peace and quiet and natural environment"
"It is wonderfully quiet and unspoilt"
"Delightful environment both urban and rural peace and quiet"
"Having local amenities, not having to shop outside the village"
"A lovely and unique place that needs little fixing"
"Sense of living in a community"
"Unspoilt unique village leave well alone"
"Born here, all roots here, nice people; many friends"
"Undeveloped and unspoilt, quiet, friendly, good community spirit”
"Tranquillity, community spirit, good walks, good shop and post office"
"Unspoilt by large developments"
"To keep the correct balance of young and elderly, so real village life does not diminish entirely"
"Safe place to raise children, recreation hut for social events"
"Working together as a community"
"The community is so vibrant and Orford is seen as a beautiful place to live"
"The local community needs to be maintained"
"To live in natural surroundings"
"Keeping it as a village and to keep some of our local children here
with reasonably priced homes"
"To maintain the tranquil rural life and spirit for now and future generations"
"I live in Orford because I like the way it is"
"I just like living in Orford. I have been a country person all my life and I love the river"
"I feel I belong here"
"I pray it doesn't turn into a ghost town, full of second home owners who come here and push
the locals out"
"Sense of community which is fast disappearing,
too many original locals feel their views are worthless."
"The community spirit is very important"
"Safe, peaceful environment, warm friendly atmosphere"
"At the moment it is a good place to bring up children"
“A small community with good facilities and a mixed population in age"
"It's home and it's simply lovely"
"A living, thriving community of residents daily responsible for making Orford
a pleasant dynamic place to live and work"
"Fun Day was a victim of its success, make sure Village Feast doesn't lose its identity
and go the same way"
"There is a communal feeling to preserve and protect, living in a beautiful place
with a high degree of taking each other as we find us and old fashioned respect and trust"
"It should be kept as a small rural village and support the children
that are born here with education and housing"
"The community spirit of the village, that it remains unspoilt
but "real" not simply a tourist destination"
"Build more affordable homes and stop building houses which ruin the community"
"It is terrific to be here, friendly, social, diverse people. A lovely village"
IN CONCLUSION
So where do we go from here?
The Parish Plan questionnaire was hand delivered to every household and business in
Orford and Gedgrave to provide everyone with an opportunity to voice their opinions on
the parish as it is and how it should develop in the future. With over fifty percent of
households responding in considerable detail to the questionnaire, this Parish
Plan provides a strong, clear set of views both as to how the community itself sees
Orford & Gedgrave now and how the community wants to see future local development.
This Plan is, therefore, the best possible evidence and guideline for those who may be
making decisions about the future of both individual and community integrated initiatives
in the future. These will include decisions at Parish, District, County and National lev-
el. The Plan should also be used as empirical evidence when any agency, private, statu-
tory or Governmental, is considering matters which affect Community development in Or-
ford & Gedgrave and the surrounding areas.
Orford and Gedgrave experiences few of the problems that modern society appears to
accept in other areas but it is important that the parish continues to offer
sufficient activities for all age groups, above all the young, if this is to continue. The Plan
shows particularly strong concern for careful improvement, in no particular order of
preference, in the following areas, some of which would require varying degrees of
external funding.
More jobs
More affordable housing
Encouragement of small business
Additional Bed & Breakfast facilities
Controlled expansion of dwellings
Conversion of redundant premises
Improved children's playspace
Better sport and leisure facilities - particularly youth club, youth sailing and football
Renovation or rebuild of Recreation Ground Hut
Renovation or rebuild of Church Hut
Sensible traffic management and enhanced or additional parking facilities
Tea room
Ferry to Aldeburgh
Free museum entry for residents
In each case the Plan can be presented as evidence of the particular need.
The volunteers who contributed to the production of this plan include
DAVID ANDREN : JOY CASTLE : IAN CASTLE
ADAM CHAMBERS : LIZ CODDINGTON
NIKKI EHLERT : JUDITH GOLDER
TIM HANNON : ROGER HIPWELL
WILL HARVEY : NEIL JACOBS
SUE JOHNSTON : SOPHIE MARSHALL
ALEX MARSHALL : ROSEMARY UNWIN
plus
484 individuals who cared enough
to complete and return
their plan questionnaires