Community survey results
These themes were gathered through a physical leaflet consultation delivered to households across all nine Vale of Allen settlements.
With thanks
The Steering Group is deeply grateful to every resident who took the time to respond. Each contribution has helped build a clearer picture of the priorities, concerns and hopes shared across the Vale of Allen.
We also extend our sincere thanks to all the volunteers who made the consultation possible by distributing leaflets across the nine settlements, encouraging participation and helping bring the responses together. Their time, care and local knowledge have given this work a stronger, more representative foundation.
Participation
Questionnaires were returned from every parish area covered by the plan.
From 655 households
Across the plan area
Residents aged 16 and over
| Parish area | Households | Returns | Response rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gussage St Michael | 91 | 45 | 49.5% |
| Gussage All Saints | 100 | 48 | 48.0% |
| Crichel | 111 | 51 | 45.9% |
| Witchampton | 182 | 81 | 44.5% |
| Hinton Martell & Hinton Parva | 171 | 44 | 25.7% |
| Total | 655 | 269 | 41.1% |
What the responses show
When residents scored aspects of life in the Vale, the highest-ranked factors combined social wellbeing with the natural setting.
80.0% of respondents described the current age profile of their village as “about right”.
239 returns selected one of the two lowest rates of housebuilding: less than one, or between one and two homes per year. This is 89% of all returned questionnaires and 91% of those answering this question.
In the weighted ranking of potential housing sources, brownfield sites ranked first, followed by individual plots or a development. Greenfield sites received the lowest weighted score.
Everyday priorities
The results also describe how residents work and which local services they would most like to see improved.
Respondents could identify more than one service, so these percentages do not add to 100%.
Five working groups are testing these themes against evidence and planning requirements, with the Youth Working Group ensuring young people's needs inform every area.
