The Community Website for Foston Village in Lincolnshire - Just North of Grantham in the East Midlands
The Community Website for Foston Village in Lincolnshire - Just North of Grantham in the East Midlands
The Village Plan is the result of gathering information and opinions from the villagers of Foston. This process has enabled the Working Group to analyse the results and form an Action Plan that will take forward as many issues as possible. It is hoped that the Action Plan will help to rekindle a sense of community spirit within the village, as we address the concerns that have been collated. It will give the village encouragement and justification to take on matters that can be realistically changed for the benefit of the village.
The plan has been produced by the -
Foston Parish Plan Working Group (FPPWG)
This Group has included:
In 2000, the government issued a Rural White Paper, which introduced the concept of Vital Villages’ Scheme. This theme was further developed by the Countryside Agency to offer a range of grants and advice to help rural communities take their own action when it came to the development of plans. From this initiative, there evolved a vision of parish plans linking in with the work of the district councils. A 3-year pilot project was launched which was successful and now villages up and down the country are creating village plans. The purpose of a village plan is two-fold. After initial consultation with the village, a detailed Action Plan is developed that can be taken forward by the local community and then followed by the production of a Village Design Statement.
This document shows the analysis of the questionnaires and from this information FPPWG has produced an initial Action Plan. The Action Plan, it is hoped, will provide a catalyst for volunteers to take on a particular issue that they may feel strongly about. Through consultation with the village we have been able to identify the needs and wishes of the residents. This data can be used to justify grants and support applications to the various bodies and authorities that have funds for community projects. Ultimately, as an on-going result of the Action Plan we, as a village, can take our own actions to make some improvements to Foston. Therefore, what is already a good place to live can become an even better place to live as well as encouraging a closer- knit community.
A Village Design Statement will be an additional outcome from this Action Plan. This document will set out clear and simple guidance for the design of all development within the village. It should identify the landscape setting of the village; the shape of the settlement; and the nature of the buildings themselves. The document will not stop change from happening as it will be advisory but will influence the statutory planning process. Consequently, new developments within the village will be in harmony with the existing environment and reflect what the community wants.
The bulk of “cost” has been borne by the FPPWG members in volunteering their considerable time and effort in doing the work required to produce this report. A grant of £2,900 from the Community Council of Lincolnshire has been available for where actual cost is incurred such as printing costs etc. Foston Parish Council also provided a grant of £500.
We planned a public Open Day at the Village Hall. This event was an opportunity to explain the concept of what we were doing as well as an enjoyable social gathering. The Open Day was held in April 2006 and was attended by over 100 villagers. Topics per table covered different issues including Services, Environment, Amenities and Housing. Villagers were invited to anonymously fill out notes (right) commenting on the many varied topics. Members of the working group were available for discussion on every aspect to stimulate interest and encourage points of view.
These comments were gathered and formed the basis of a questionnaire, taking account of the many topics that had arisen at the Open Day. A separate children’s questionnaire was also produced so that the younger villagers’ points of view and issues could be gathered separately.
These questionnaires were printed and delivered to every person within the village boundaries. The results were subsequently analysed and in November a feedback day was held with a presentation at the village hall, which generated an attendance of over 50 villagers. We also kept the village informed with regular progress reports via a newsletter that was delivered to every household.