Introduction
FOREWORD
On behalf of the Steering Group who prepared it, I would like to introduce this plan
to you.
To give local people a greater say in shaping their future and collecting evidence of
their aspirations and needs seems fairly simple but the delivery proved to be a long
and challenging process.
I would like to offer my personal thanks to the residents of Langton Matravers who
attended the events held in the Village Hall and who responded to the resulting survey
in such large numbers. I also thank the Steering Group for their commitment and
time in formulating the ideas and analysing the results; often into the late evening. A
very special thanks must go to Judith Priddle; as the Group Secretary and with her IT
skills, most work in presenting the Plan fell to her.
David Pearson – Steering Group Chairman
BACKGROUND
In November 2000 the Government launched the concept of Town and Parish Plans
in a Rural White Paper entitled Our Countryside – Our Future.
The purpose of the Plan is to give the local community a bigger opportunity to run its
own affairs and set out its vision for the future in the short, medium and long term. It
should address the whole community, cover everything relevant to the people who
live in the Parish and everyone should have the opportunity to participate in its
preparation.
On the 26 September 2002 an open meeting was held in the Langton Matravers
Village Hall where a presentation was given by members of the Dorset Community
Action introducing those present to the idea of a Parish Plan. The production of a
Plan required a wide-ranging consultation exercise to give everyone a chance to have
their say. The finished Plan could be used to attract funding for projects by
identifying local need and it would also be fed into the District Council as part of
their Community Strategy.
The cost of preparing the Plan could be met by a grant from the Countryside Agency
of 75%, 5% from the Parish and 20% by “volunteers time”.
In the interval, to start the ball rolling and to give a flavour of the consultation
process, those present were asked to write their thoughts, ideas, visions for the future
of Langton Matravers on “post it” notes and pin them to the notice boards at the back
of the Hall.
At the end of the meeting volunteers were invited to form a Steering Group to take
the Parish Plan forward.
-1-
Introduction
The Steering Group decided to give the Parish Plan the acronym Caring About
Langton Matravers or CALM.
THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
After considering several options the Steering Group decided that the consultation
process should be in two parts.
1 An Open Day to identify the issues of concern
2 A questionnaire sent to every household so that everyone could register their view
on these issues.
OPEN DAY
An Open Day was held in the Village hall on 12 April 2003. Leaflets were sent out to
every house in the Parish advertising the event and encouraging everyone to come
along and give their views and ideas. The Hall was decorated with photographs of
various aspects of Langton Matravers life and the notice boards labelled with eight
general headings:
Community Facilities
Housing and Jobs
Crime and safety
Transport and Traffic
Local Environment
Older people
Young People
Miscellaneous
Visitors were asked to write their comments on “Post its” and stick it under the
relevant heading. They could if they wished agree with comments already posted by
adding a sticky dot to the note.
A record was kept of which area of the Parish each person lived.
THE QUESTIONNAIRE
The Steering Group counted and analysed the “post its” from the Open Day which
gave a list of issues and topics within the Parish which could then form the basis for
the questions in the survey.
The first part of the questionnaire was concerned with general information on the
household and could be filled in by one parson. The second part had the detailed
specific questions based on the information gained from the Open Day and was laid
out so that each member of the household could respond individually.
-2-
Introduction
The questionnaires were sent out to every household in September 2003 with a
request for them to be returned by 31 October but in the event they continued to come
in until December.
Number sent out. 487
Number returned 296
THE STRUCTURE AND CHARACTER OF THE PARISH
FOREWORD
The Field Studies Centre at Leeson House in the parish and the Langton Matravers Local
History and Preservation Society have produced a large number of booklets on Langton
Matravers, including a Village Trail, a History of the Parish Church, a History of Leeson
House, the Village School, the Stone Quarries, The Ancient Order of Purbeck Marblers and
Stonecutters, Smuggling at Dancing Ledge, the local Dialect and many historical documents
relating to the parish, including the 1841 and 1851 National Census Returns, the Parish
Registers prior to 1837 and Commercial Directories. These may be purchased either at
Langton Post Office Stores or at the Museum.
THE PARISH BADGE
The shield is quartered by the Cross of Saint George, Patron Saint of the Parish. In the centre
the flaming torch of progress and learning represents the five educational establishments and
the Clubs and Societies. In the upper quarters appear the Arms of the mediaeval lords of the
two great Manors which bear their names (Wallis or Le Walleys on the left; Mautravers or
Maltravers on the right). In the lower quarters are represented the two ancient occupations of
the parish, Farming and the Stone Industry.
SITUATION AND ACREAGE
The Parish of Langton Matravers contained 2,215 acres of land. Originally it was larger, but
in boundary changes of 1933 it lost a neck of over 1,000 acres stretching eastwards into what
is now the Parish of Swanage. Langton Matravers is situated in the south-east of the Isle of
Purbeck, between the Parishes of Swanage and Worth Matravers.
POPULATION
The population in 1086 was about 120. At the taking of the Protestation Oath in 1641 it was
about 283. By the time of the 1801 National Census it had increased to 510. By 1901 it had
risen further to 827; and by 1998 it had reached 1,050. A survey undertaken by pupils of the
village school in 1968 produced the following statistics: 38% of the population then went out
to work, 25% of the inhabitants were retired, 25.5% of them were under the age of 18, and
there were 70 dwellings in the parish with but one occupant.
SETTLEMENT SITE
A line of ‘Celtic’ or pre-Saxon fields along the north side of the present village High Street
proves that this settlement was sited at its present location before the Roman Conquest and
before the Christian Era. The outlying settlements of Acton, Blacklands, Coombe and
Knitson have been proved by archaeological finds to be of similar antiquity. The village itself
is sheltered from the prevailing south-west winds by being just north of the summit of the
limestone plateau, without being far enough down into the valley to be in the muddy clay
vale.
-3-
Introduction
The hamlet of Acton from the North East
WATER SUPPLY
The settlements are situated where spring-lines occur, the principal line being from Acton to
Coombe, along which they are still some thirty known wells. The most reliable of these wells
was at the bottom of Coombe Hill (where the present A351 road joins the B3069), though
Street Well (the common well in the centre of the village, the cover of which can be seen in
the stone pavement a few yards west of the Post Office) seldom ran dry. The wells at Acton
were unreliable and were prone to pollution after 1700 owing to the proximity of so many
quarry-mines.
There are seven named streams within the parish, though their names do not appear on
Ordnance Survey maps. In order of diminishing size they are: La Trencheye (which flows in
a trench along the clay vale to reach the sea beside the Mowlem in Swanage, where it is
known as The Brook); Knaveswell which issues from the greensands near the northern
boundary of the parish and flows southwards to join La Trencheye; Puck Lakes, arms of
which come from west and south to join La Trenceye at the same confluence as Knaveswell;
The Gully, which drains the central eastern sector of the parish; Broadwathe, Severallwathe
and Bitakenwathe, which rise on the southern scarp slope of the limestone plateau and then
flow southwards over the cliff together with some smaller un-named streamlets. Knaveswell,
Puck Lakes and The Gully have given their names to farms or small settlements.
HOUSING
In 1851 there were 174 dwellings in the parish. There are now some 711 homes, though some
50 of these are holiday residences only. There are 41 flats. The oldest cottage, once a ‘longhouse’ farmstead, probably dates from the Fifteenth Century. There is one cottage (now only
half its original size) dating from the third quarter of the Sixteenth Century. There are several
farmhouses and cottages dating from the mid-Seventeenth Century, when wattle, daub and
thatch were replaced by stone, but all of these have been modified in some way. There are
many cottages dating from the Eighteenth Century, some with date-stones or original deeds,
and an equal number from the Nineteenth Century. Bungalows and semi-bungalows appeared
soon after the First World War. Larger detached houses appeared soon after the Second
World War.
Of the two great houses in the parish, Durnford House, which was probably first built in the
Sixteenth Century, was rebuilt in 1725 (as the date-stone on the architrave of the front door
records), but was completely demolished and rebuilt, using the 1725 ashlars, in 1952;
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Introduction
whereas Leeson House, originally built in 1805, has not been greatly altered, apart from
lateral additions.
Originally the village had but one street, now known as the High Street. Later several sideroads were added: North Street in 1852; Garfield Lane in 1900; Malthouse Lane in 1906;
Steppes in 1913; The Hyde in 1924; and the others after the Second World War - Durnford
Drove, Gypshayes, Steppeshill, Tom’s Field Road, St George’s Close, Serrell’s Mead, Mount
Pleasant Lane, Three Acre Lane and Capston Field. Steppes, Capston Field and Three Acre
Lane contain Council Housing Estates. The architect of the latter won a national award for
the sensitive design of the cottages.
Three Acre Lane Cottages
OCCUPATIONS
The oldest occupation is farming, but since Romano-British times farming and stonequarrying have been of equal importance.
There have been several Cottage Industries undertaken in the parish: shale armlets during the
Roman Occupation; stocking-knitting in the Eighteenth Century, Dorset Buttony, Straw
Millinery and Embroidery (Broderie Anglaise) during the Nineteenth Century.
Several schools have been founded in the parish during the past 230 years. Education and its
ancillary services now employ more Langtonians than any other occupation.
FARMS
There are now six farms in this parish, as well as several ‘small holdings’. Coome Farm and
Putlake Adventure Farm are part of the Encombe Estate. Wilkswood and Spyway Farms are
tenanted from the National Trust, which now owns the greater part of the parish. Other farms
include Knitson and Knaveswell.
Some of these farms retain their original Saxon names: Knitson is ‘the farm settlement of
Cnightwine’; Knaveswell is sited where a youth found a spring of pure water; Putlake
(originally Puck Lakes) is situated on a mischievous stream prone to flooding the area (Puck
being a sprite and ‘lake’ an early Saxon word for ‘water’); Wilkswood was reclaimed from a
section of the royal hunting warren managed by a Saxon called Wilic; Coombe is situated in a
short valley in the side of a hill; Acton was and still is a sheep-farm (‘taca-ton’).
-5-
Introduction
Knitson and Knaveswell are on the greensands belt between the chalk hill and the wealden
clay vale. Wilkswood and Coombe lie in the wealden, whilst Acton, Putlake and Spyway are
on the windy limestone plateau.
QUARRIES
Some of the stone quarries were situated at the cliffs, where the prized white non-shelly
Portland Stone was extracted. Most quarries were, however, inland mines, extracting the
durable Purbeck Stone. During the mid-Nineteenth Century there were about one hundred
family quarry mines in the parish. From about 1670 these were worked by families bearing
the names Norman, Lander, Harris, Corben, Phippard, Brown, Harden, Burt, Benfield,
Bonfield and Bower. There were so many families called Bower that subsidiary surnames
were used in place of the common one; these included Gad, Whistler, Ivamy, Sugar, Cake,
Short, Mouse, Coffin, Tite, Corben, Thorn and Trink.
Remains of the capstans or winches, especially the ‘crab-stones’ which held them upright and
the ‘quarr’ sheds in which the quarriers cut and shaped the stone, can still be seen, sometimes
still within remains of the dry stone wall which enclosed the mine-shaft or ‘slide’.
Nowadays there are some eight open-cast quarries being worked in the Acton region, in the
south-west sector of the parish, though the sophisticated machinery employed means that not
many workmen are involved.
SCHOOLS
In the latter part of the Eighteenth century there were several Dame Schools in the village,
attended by the sons of local farmers and stonemasons. The Parish Church Sunday School
was founded in 1818 and this became a Day School in the 1830s, though still assembling in
the church. The National Schoolroom was built directly opposite the church in 1845, but the
School moved to its present premises in 1872 to accommodate considerably increased
numbers of pupils, due to the Education Acts which required all children between the ages of
five and ten to attend school, and which fixed fines for non-attendance. The former National
Schoolroom is now the Village Hall. The former National School is now St George’s Church
of England Voluntary Aided First School. On the same premises there is a PreSchool.
St. George's School
A Methodist Sunday School was established in 1842 and a Methodist Day School existed in a
cottage between 1850 and 1872.
-6-
Introduction
Between 1893 and 1929 six Boarding Schools were established in the village: Durnford
House Preparatory School for Boys in 1893, Leeson House School for Girls in 1903, The Old
Malthouse Preparatory School for Boys in 1906, Spyway Preparatory School for Boys in
1927, Garfield School in 1929 and Steppeshill Domestic Science School (actually a Girls’
Finishing School) in 1929. Of these The Old Malthouse School alone remains. It is now ceducational and has a pre-Prep School also on the premises.
The Old Malthouse School
Leeson House is now a Residential and Day-Visit Field Studies Centre run by Dorset County
Council. Middle School pupils from the parish of Langton Matravers must travel to Herston,
just outside the eastern boundary of the parish. Upper School pupils must travel to the
Purbeck School in Wareham. Further Education Colleges are in Poole and Bournemouth and
the nearest University is also in Bournemouth.
Leeson House Field Studies Centre
CHURCHES
St George‘s Parish Church is certainly the third, and possibly the fourth building to be erected
on the site for Christian worship. Evidences of the previous two churches can be seen on the
interior of the back wall of the present building, which was completed in 1876, though the
little west tower dates from c.1390. The Patron of the living was formerly the lord of the
Manor of East Langton or Langton Mautravers. The living was originally a Rectory and there
-7-
Introduction
is an unbroken line of Rectors from 1320 to 2003 displayed just inside the main door of the
church. The Anglican Electoral Roll of about 150 elects a Parochial Church Council of some
16, the Chairman of which is the Vicar or Priest-in-Charge, who lives in the New Rectory,
built in 1976. The Vicar of Langton Matravers is also the Vicar of Worth Matravers and
Kingston, the two villages to the west.
St. George's Parish Church
The first Wesleyan Chapel was built in the cottage style in 1842. Its date-stone has been built
into the wall of Wesley House which now stands on the site. This early chapel was
demolished in 1972. The second Methodist Chapel, built on a larger scale and a more churchlike style in 1875, now forms part of Wesley House. A small Baptist Chapel was built in
1831. Its date-stone is preserved in the Parish Museum, but the building has been converted
into a cottage (No. 24 High Street. A tiny Independent Chapel existed in a former butcher’s
shop between 1898 and 1910, but this is now part of the cottage called ‘Seacombe’.
SHOPS
High Street, Langton Matravers
Before the advent of shops as we know them there were three kinds of Workshop, where
goods made on the premises were sold: Blacksmith’s, Carpenter’s and Cordwainer’s or
Shoemaker’s. Langton had two blacksmiths, one in each of the two great manors, and the
sites of these workshops were at Anvil Cottage and Forge Cottage.The Carpenter’s Shops
-8-
Introduction
have all been demolished. There were three Cordwainers, but two of their shops have been
demolished and the third converted into a tiny dwelling called ‘Street Well Cottage‘.
There are now four shops within the parish: the Post Office Stores in the very centre of the
village, which is also a Newsagent’s and which has an Off-Licence; a General Stores at St
Michael’s Garage on the A351 Main Road in the valley; a shop within Tom’s Field Road
Camping Site; and a Craft Shop at Knitson in the extreme north of the parish.
The two Public Houses have existed for over 200 years. The King’s Arms is situated in the
village centre, two doors from the Post Office. It was originally called The Masons’ Arms,
but the name was changed for patriotic reasons in 1803. The inn-sign therefore displays the
Arms of King George III, who was also Electoral Prince of Hanover. The Ship Inn stands on
the summit of Steps Hill. The original Eighteenth century Inn was the low cottage which now
leans against the present premises. They therefore share a flue. A suicide within the older
building caused the new building.
The present and old Ship Inns
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Parish Council consists of nine members, one of whom is the Chairman and another the
Vice-Chairman. Regular Council Meetings take place in the Village Hall on the second
Thursday of each month. There is a paid part-time Clerk to the Council. There is a Parish
Council Office at Putlake (No. 1 High Street). The Council owns and manages a Cemetery in
Crack Lane, where it employs a part-time Caretaker. The Council also employs a part-time
Internal Auditor and appoints a Public Rights-of-Way Officer, a Tree and Hedgerow Officer,
and an Emergency Planning Officer. It appoints representatives on the Timson Trust
Management Committee, which oversees two almshouses in the village, on the Village Hall
Management Committee, and the Purbeck Association of Parish and Town Councils. In
conjunction with Worth Matravers Parish Council it nominates a Governor of St George’s
First School.
The Parishes of Langton Matravers and Worth Matravers elect a District Councillor for the
Langton Ward of the Purbeck District Council which sits in Wareham. Dorset County
Council sits in Dorchester, the County Town.
MANORS
Five of the old Saxon hidage boundaries can still be traced, running in straight lines from the
village street southwards to the cliffs. By the Thirteenth Century these strips of land, each of
which had originally been allocated to a family, had developed into three manors, remains of
-9-
Introduction
which still exist. In the east the Manor of Langton Mautravers stretched westwards as far as
the church. In the west, stretching far beyond the confines of the parish, lay the great Manor
of Langton Wallis. Between these lay the tiny one-hide Manor of Durnford.
The Manor of Langton Mautravers is named after its mediaeval lords who had arrived with
William of Normandy in 1066. They also owned Worth Matravers for a short time, but they
lived at Woolcombe Matravers and later at Lytchett Matravers, further north in Dorset.
Remains of this manor now belong to the Encombe Estate which purchased it in 1875. The
huge western manor was also named after its mediaeval lords, the Le Walleys family, who
came from Brittany in 1066. From the early Seventeenth Century this manor was owned by
the Bankes family of Kingston Lacy until 1982, when it was bequeathed to the National
Trust. Together with Corfe Castle, it now forms part of the Trust’s Purbeck Estate. The lords
of these two large manors were always absentees (the le Walleys family lived at Chickerell)
so there were no manor houses in their Langton lands. However, the lords of the tiny Manor
of Durnford, who were called De Derneford, resided in the village.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
There are some sixteen Clubs or Societies in Langton Matravers, including a Photographic
Society, a Folk Dancing Club, a Naturalists’ Club, A Local History and Preservation Society,
Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies, Line Dancing, Short Mat Bowls, a Microscopical
Society, a Parent-Teachers’ Association, St George’s School Club, a local branch of the
Dorset Wildlife Trust, a T-Set (providing tea and chat for elderlies who are normally
housebound) and, in conjunction with Corfe Castle and Worth Matravers, a Conservative
Association.
Besides the regular meetings of the
above there are also the meetings of
the Parish Council, the Parochial
Church Council and the Village
Hall Committee, so there is almost
always something happening in the
village:
lectures,
exhibitions,
recitals, concerts, drama, stalls,
coffee-mornings,
committee
meetings, fetes, organized walks,
outings, rehearsals, choir practices
or community projects. Sometimes
there are several things going on at
the same time.
The Village Hall
HALLS AND PUBLIC ROOMS
There are four halls in the village which can be hired for public meetings: The Village Hall,
the Old Malthouse School Hall, St George’s School Hall and the Scout and Guide
Headquarters. The most often used, the Village Hall, includes a Billiard Room and a
Memorial Room (a comfortable committee-room or lounge) as well as the main hall which
has a stage and a kitchen. This complex is owned by the community and is managed by a
Committee of which half are elected by the parish and half are appointed by the various
organizations which regularly use the premises. A small committee-room or dining-room can
also be hired at The King’s Arms.
- 10 -
Introduction
Scout and Guide Headquarters
PUBLIC SERVICES
Banks, Doctors, Dentists, Clinics, Opticians, Lawyers, Hairdressers, Restaurants, Theatre,
Cinema, Caravan Park, Supermarkets, Estate Agents, Hospital, Ambulance, Youth Centre,
Sports Centre, Clothes Shops, Shoe Shops, Hardware Stores, Furniture and Furnishings,
Photographic Supplies and Dispensing Chemist must all be sought in Swanage, Wareham or
Poole. The nearest Rail Station is at Wareham, ten miles away.
Although Swanage, two miles to the east, is the nearest shopping centre, for Department
Stores or wider selection of goods one must travel to Poole or Bournemouth, which are both
slightly over an hour’s journey away by ‘bus. Crown Offices are at Poole or Dorchester.
However, Langton’s Post Office Stores is extremely obliging and stocks a wide range of
goods, although obviously limited by the size of the premises.
The village is regularly visited by the County Library Mobile Service. At the moment refuse
is collected once a week and certain goods for recycling once a fortnight, but this is shortly
about to change. The village has mains drainage, water-supply, gas, electricity and telephone.
There are two public telephone kiosks. Overnight accommodation, meals and bar-food may
be obtained at the Inns and there are several bed-and-breakfast establishments in the parish.
There is a tented Camp Site at the south end of Tom’s Field Road, ten minutes walk from the
local beauty-spot known as Dancing Ledge, the scenic cliff-side path and the Jurassic Coast
World Heritage Site. There is also a caravan park at Knitson and another tented camp site at
Acton Field for certain weeks in the year.
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Introduction
Dancing Ledge
The Parish Museum’s prestigious collection of over 18000 items is in store until suitable
premises can be found to display it, but certain Special Exhibitions from this collection,
which last for three months, are displayed in the Lecture Room of the present Parish
Museum. The Museum’s ongoing display concerns the local Stone Industry. The Museum is
situated in St George’s Close, behind the Parish Church. It is open from 10.00 to 12.00 and
from 14.00 to 16.00 daily, except Sundays, from April 1st to the first week of October each
year.
Parish Museum
The Parish Church produces a monthly magazine called the ’Dubber’, which is delivered free
of charge to every home in the parish. It contains a diary of what will take place shortly in the
parish and also reports of events which have taken place during the preceding month. A few
copies are usually available in the church for visitors.
TRANSPORT
A horse-drawn Omnibus was in existence in the village in 1880 to take folk into Swanage.
Wagonettes also plied their trade until 1920. In 1922 a Langton-based private Bus Company
called the Blue Comfy Cars was founded. A rival, called the Langton Bus Company, was
founded in 1926. The Wilts & Dorset Bus Company now provides the only public transport
to Swanage, Worth Matravers, Kingston, Corfe Castle, Wareham,. Poole and Bournemouth.
- 12 -
Introduction
Buses run through the village in either direction roughly every hour. Another service runs
along the Valley Road and can be boarded at the north end of Crack Lane.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
Maypole Dancing and Country Dancing are still practised in the village. In the past,
particularly in the 1920s and 1930s the Langton Matravers Country and Morris Dancing
Teams regularly appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in London and in the Bournemouth
Competitions, where they won many certificates and medals.
The Company of Marblers and Stonecutters meets annually on Shrove Tuesday in Corfe
Castle, where several age-old ceremonies are kept up. Most of those employed in the stone
industry are Members of this Company and this, of course, includes Langton men.
APPENDICES
Appendix 1- Comments on Post-its at inaugural meeting
Appendix 2 – Minutes of first minuted meeting of the Steering Committee.
Appendix 3 – Survey Results – Percentages of responses to questions asked.
Bar charts show the opinions of the numbers of people who chose to
add further information
Appendix 4 – Additional comments received on survey forms
- 13 -
Appendix 1
Appendix 1 – Post-it results from Open Meeting
LANGTON MATRAVERS PARISH PLAN
Comments received at parish meeting held on 26 September 2002
ISSUES
1. Community Facilities – improve hall/centre, better shops, film club,
swimming, library, education
Comments on post-its
1. Should a parish hall be paid for out of these funds?
2. We need a parish office. We need a Museum Building
3. We need a museum building desperately
4. A parish office is needed
5. Parish offices, museum building with good storage for artefacts. Badly
needed
6. Some new playground equipment in the village field
7. A local museum is long overdue-sympathetic conversion or moderate new
building (on right site) ?
8. There is no take-away in LM.
Could a mobile fish and chip van be subsidised to bring a round to us and other
villages
9. Some communication/information centre – could combine ‘advice’ parish
council? History, tourist office etc. Drop in coffee etc.
No
1
1
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
2. Housing and jobs – more/less housing, better designed homes, more light
industry nearby
Comments on Post-its
1. Apart from new jobs don’t forget to protect existing ones
2. Small workshop units needed
3. Social housing, address these needs
4. Control number of homes sold for holiday/commercial lettings
5. Same rates for second homes
6. We must have broadband internet access i.e. ADSL wireless access
7. Cheaper homes definitely needed within Purbeck but the village should
not be a significant target for housing development. The area is unique,
tourism shouldn’t be damaged, heritage is central
8. Small business units = jobs
- 14 -
No
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
Appendix 1
3. Crime and Safety – bobbies on the beat, security cameras, speeding cars, safe
footpaths
Comments on Post-its
No
1. More traffic calming on High Street, less lorries
2. No car park needed. Cars are best at slowing traffic
3. Our best traffic calmers are the cars parked in the High St, but there should be
alternative sites – also a bay at St. George’s School
2
2
1
4. Transport & Traffic – speed limits, Sunday & Evening buses, cycle routes,
parking
Comments on Post-its
1. Improvements to Crack lane – widening junction, safety
2. Car parking probably short-stay-near enough to schools for parents to use daily
3. Dangerous traffic on High Street needs to be controlled esp. at school times
4. Maintenance to footpaths around village
5. Bus Shelter
6. Traffic calming in village
7. A cycle path would be marvellous for our teenagers (and older people) tourism,
reduction of traffic
8. Shuttle buses to Wareham Skate park please
9. Badly need a bus shelter
10. Speed bumps please preferably uusing Purbeck stone. Entrance to the village E and
W. Example – the Square in Swanage near the Heritage centre
11. Cheap (or even free) transport for teenagers to get to sports facilities in Wareham.
GOOD IDEA
12. Improved cemetery access
13. Proper cycle path to Swanage
14. Make school transport free and from more areas of the catchment
- 15 -
No
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
4
1
Appendix 1
5. Local Environment – dog mess, tree planting, recycling and composting,
walks, litter
Comments on Post-its
No
1. Footpath maintenance and enhancement
2. Secure refuse bins to cater for 2nd and holiday homes
3. The special needs of the outlying hamlets (e.g.Acton, Castle View) need to be
considered
4. Where does the National Trust fit into the process?
5. Monthly collection of garden waste would save petrol/pollution and difficulties of the
elderly without transport. Bonfires spread pollution
6. More good litter bins and recycling area
1
1
2
1
2
2
6. Older People – community care, access to services, transport needs, social
activities
Comments on Post-its
No
1. We need 2 or 3 bus shelters
2. Parish mini bus for use by parish organisations
3. Many elderly single people need visitors, access to organised activities – films,
bridge, cards, chess etc.
1
1
1
7. Young People – drop in centre, cyber café, area for skateboards, sports and
arts facilities
Comments on Post-its
1. Playground equipment needed
2. More play area within the school field
3. Steppes playground – most people surveyed felt it was greatly needed. Plus it
was promised by Raglan years ago.
4. Playground needed in Steppes – to avoid so many children playing in the road
5. Improve access to Swanage Youth Centre
6. Reduce cost of public transport to teenagers
7. Ensure young people are valued and encouraged to participate in village life
8. Ensure young people are valued and views actively sought
9. Out of School Club facility for children after school
- 16 -
No
1
1
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Appendix 2
Appendix 2 Minutes of first minuted meeting of the steering committee
Minutes of Meeting of Langton Matravers Parish Plan Steering Committee
4th December 2002
Present:
David Pearson (Chairman)
Judith Priddle (Secretary)
Gary Ayres
Jim Bradford
Mary Duncan
Julian Harris
Matthew Haysom
Ann Mounsey
Norman Priddle
Steve Lacey
Simon Thompson (Dorset Community Action) Roz Cartwright (Purbeck District
Council
Apologies received from:
Michael Lovell Brian Glassock
This was the second meeting of the Parish Plan Steering Committee. The first was
held in October 2002. A Chairman and Secretary for the Committee were selected
and it was decided that we should invite Simon Thompson and Roz Cartwright to our
next meeting so that we had a clearer understanding of the concept of the Parish Plan.
(The first meeting was unminuted)
What is a Parish Plan?
Simon Thompson from Dorset Community Action spoke to explain the aims of the
Parish Plan. The parish Plan gives the local community a bigger opportunity to run its
own affairs and set out a vision for its development in the short, medium and longer
term. It should cover everything of relevance to the people who live in the Parish. It
should address the whole community and everyone should have an opportunity to
participate in its preparation.
How do we start to prepare our Parish Plan?
The first step is to complete a Registration of Intent to produce a Parish Plan this has
already been carried out by the Parish Council.
A grant of up to £5000 is available to prepare the Parish Plan, a maximum of 75% of
costs are available the remaining 25% should be contributed by the Parish Council. A
minimum of 5% must be in cash the remainder may be in kind (voluntary time).
The next step is to complete an application form for the Parish Plan Grant.
- 17 -
Appendix 2
Grant Application
To apply for the grant we must:
1. Decide how we are going to advertise the Plan for example:
• Hold an open day
• Posters
• Announcements in local publications
2. Set a timetable for main objectives, this could take up to 12 months.
3. Decide on a method of collecting information
• Survey (there is a software package available £75.00 for producing surveys
specifically for Parish Plans – the software can also be used to analyse the
results). If a survey is held each household in the Parish must be included and
should allow all residents within that household to give their opinions. The
result of the survey could provide valuable information for other local
agencies e.g. housing. Assistance should be available for completing surveys
for people who request it.
• Hold events within the Parish to give residents a chance to give their opinions.
• Approach all existing organisations within the Parish e.g. Scouts. Local
History Society, Camera Club, Church, Schools etc. The National Trust and
Encombe Estate should also be included.
4. Keep a record of hours spent working on the Parish Plan. The applied rate for
volunteers is £50 per day, professional services volunteered can be costed at £150
per day.
5. Provide detailed costing for the project – to include printing, publicising holding
meetings and preparing and publishing the Plan. A copy of the finished plan must
be distributed to every household in the Parish, with additional copies made
available for interested agencies and future reference.
Simon Thompson will be able to assist with our Grant Application.
The application can be submitted by the Steering Committee but must be signed by
the Chairperson or Clerk of the Parish Council.
What happens next?
Following successful application for the grant the money will go to the Parish
Council and work can begin to prepare our Parish Plan. Following completion of our
Parish Plan it can be submitted to Purbeck District Council to be incorporated into the
Purbeck Plan.
Date of next meeting.
- 18 -
Appendix 2
Wednesday 11th December (to complete the application form for the grant) at 7.30pm
in the Village Hall.
Attached is a summary of the “Post its” from the Parish Presentation.
Judith Priddle Secretary
425937
Copies to:
Those present plus Val Murray
Robert Watton
Peter White
- 19 -
Appendix 3
Appendix 3 Survey Results
Summary of the answers to the Plan Questionnaire sent to every adult
General Questions
(To be completed by one member of the household only)
1. How many people including children normally live in your household?
1
2
3
4
5
6
25%
48%
8%
12%
5%
2%
2. Please enter the number of people in your household in each age group
0-4
5-11
12-17
18-25
26-65
66-85
85+
5%
6%
6%
6%
55%
21%
1%
3. In which area of the village do you live?
Acton
Acton Fields
Blacklands
Castle View
Capston Field/Toms Field Road
Toms Field Rd/Durnford Drove
Durnnford Drove/The Hyde
The Hyde/Steppes Hill
Steppes Hill/Gully
Outlying Areas
10%
2%
1%
2%
9%
15%
22%
15%
18%
6%
4. Is this dwelling?
Private rented
Local Authority rented
Housing Association rented
Owner occupied
Part of Employment
Holiday/Second home
7%
3%
1%
72%
1%
16%
- 20 -
Appendix 3
Community Facilities
a.
The present Parish Museum is too small to display all the information that has
been gathered relating to the Parish’s history. Would you like to see a new
Parish Museum, Parish Office, Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre, or a combination
of all three?
Combination of all three
Parish Museum
Parish Office
Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre
b.
Action – Parish Council:
Parish Office/Museum
Would you like to have use of a swimming Pool within the Village?
Yes
No
No Opinion
c.
46%
29%
7%
18%
63%
23%
14%
Would you like to have use of tennis courts within the Village?
Yes
No opinion
No
49%
29%
22%
Action - Parish Council to approach
Old Malthouse and Langton House to
investigate possible use of facilities
Housing and Jobs
a.
Do you think some affordable housing for assisted purchase is needed within
the Parish for use by local people?
Yes
No opinion
No
b.
75%
15%
10%
Do you think some affordable housing for rent is needed with the Parish for
use by local people?
Yes
No opinion
No
74%
16%
10%
Action - Purbeck District Council and
Parish Council
- 21 -
Appendix 3
c.
Have any members of your family had to move away from the Parish because
of the lack of affordable housing?
No
Yes
d.
81%
19%
The Government is currently discussing raising Council Tax on second homes
from 50% to 90%. Do you think the money raised from the proposed
increase should:
Reduce Council Tax
PDC & DCC Income
Other
70%
23%
7%
Other suggestions: activities for young people, recycling, improve council
services, schools/hospitals/police, reduce tax for pensioners, assisted housing
for locals, local amenities, used by the Parish where it is collected.
e.
Would you like to see small business units built within the Parish?
No
Yes
No opinion
43%
29%
28%
Suggested areas: near quarries, barn conversions, close to existing businesses
west of village, Acton, somewhere inconspicuous.
f.
Would you like to see street/footway lighting extended in the village?
No
Yes
No opinion
50%
31%
19%
0-5
Toms Field Rd turning circle
Coombe to Sepppes
Up to Worth Road
Crack Lane
Three Acre Lane
The Hyde
East Drove
North Street
Acton
Gully
- 22 -
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
Appendix 3
Crime and Safety
a.
Would you like to see a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme set up in your
area/road?
Yes
Scheme running
No
43%
37%
20%
Action - Parish Council & Police Authority –
meeting to identify interested parties
Traffic – Parking & Speeding
a.
Would you like to see a traffic calming system in place through the High
Street?
Yes
No
No opinion
51%
40%
9%
Other comments: Mini roundabout at Three Acre Lane/Leeson House, apply
to Coombe also, alternative swap over of lanes.
0-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
26-30
Speed humps
Camera
Width restrictions
No speed humps
Signs/circles on road
Lower speed limit
Lights with maximum speed
Rumble strips
No yellow lines
Illuminated sign on
Action - Parish Council - investigate traffic
calming options
b.
Would you like to see a staggered speed limit at the top end of the village to
try to reduce the speed of traffic entering the village?
Yes
No
No opinion
74%
13%
13%
Other comments: Move 30mph speed limit to Acton turning, apply same at
bottom end of village.
Action - County Council
- 23 -
Appendix 3
c.
Would you like to see signs erected in the turning circles to discourage
parking?
Yes 51%
No opinion 31%
0-5
No 18%
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
Durnford Drove
All
Toms Field Road
St George’s Close
Serrells Mead
Capston Field
Gypshayes
Steppes
Action - Parish Council
d.
Do you think the Village needs more Public Car Parking?
No 32%
No opinion 13%
0-10
Yes 55%
- Several small car parks 73%
- One large car park
27%
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
Pub/PO/V.Hall/Church
Schools
School Field
Enlarge N/T
Crack lane
Several Acton
Putlake
Cemetery
Top of village
Coombe for residents
Garfield Road
Coles Ground
Spyway Orchard
Mt. Pleasant Lane
Bottom of village
Durnford Drove
Action - Parish Council
e.
Do you think there should be parking restrictions through the village?
E.g. Residents Permits, double yellow lines.
No 41%
No opinion 31%
0-5
6-10
Yes 28%
11-15
Residents Permits
Yellow Lines
Yellow lines on junctions
Parking one side of High Street
Two Parking spaces
No yellow lines
- 24 -
16-20
21-25
26-30
31-35
35-40
Appendix 3
Transport
a.
Do you use the current bus service?
Never 49%
Occasionally 42%
Regularly 9%
0-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Car owner
Irregular
Expensive
No eve. service
Too few
Age/disabilities
Bad links with other services
Valley Road poorly served
Too far from bus stop
Have dog with me
Work
b.
Do you think there should be shelters at bus stops?
Yes 72%
No 28%
0-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
Shop
Capston Field
All bus stops
Steppes
Three Acre Lane
St. Michaels
Toms Field Road
Acton
Durnford Drove
Action - Parish Council
c.
Would you like Langton to have access to a Community Bus service?
Yes 58%
No opinion 36%
No 6%
Action - Parish Council
d.
Do you think Langton Matravers should have a minibus available for use by
Parishioners/Organisations in the Parish?
Yes 47%
No opinion 32%
No 21%
Action - Parish Council
- 25 -
Appendix 3
e.
Do you think transport should be organised or provided by the School for
children to be transported in from outlying areas (including Swanage)?
Yes 59%
No opinion 23%
No 18%
Action - Parish Council
f.
Do you use the public footpaths around the Parish?
Frequently 69%
Occasionally 28%
0-10
Never 3%
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Widen pavements
Stiles/gates
Clear overgrown vegetation
Priests Way
Dog Mess
Crossing at Coombe for children
Other comments: widen Steppes to Crack Lane; paths needed Wilkswood to
Crack lane, from top of village to Worth turning and village to St. Michaels;
more kissing gates; make path to Windmill Hill a public right of way; more
seats; no widening
g.
Would you like to see cycle paths / routes constructed in / around the village?
No 42%
No opinion 31%
Yes 27%
0-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
25-30
Swanage/Langton/Worth/Kingston
Toms Field to Priests Way
Harmans Cross to Swanage
Other comments: Langton Matravers to Swanage Middle School. Major
routes across Parish e.g. to Dancing Ledge. Langton Matravers to St.
Michaels. Along A351. Along green lanes. Designated cycle track on
Priests Way.
Local Environment
a.
Do you think Dog Mess Bins should be provided around the Village?
Yes 66%
No 20%
No opinion 14%
- 26 -
Appendix 3
0-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
High Street
Spyway car park
School
Durnford Drove
Through village
Near litter bins/lamp
Coles Ground
Near Stiles
East Drove
South Barn Priests Way
Cemetery Lane
The Hyde
Opposite Post Office
Other comments: Putlake, Crack Lane, Three Acre Lane, Mount Pleasant
Lane, Acton, footpath between The Hyde and Durnford Drove
Action - Parish Council
b.
Would you like to have more local recycling facilities to supplement the
current kerbside collection (where it happens)?
Yes 78%
No opinion 12%
No 10%
If yes – what items would you like to have collected (plastic bottles,
cardboard, clothes etc.)
0-20
21-40
41-60
61-80
81-100
101-120
121-140
Plastic bottles
Cardboard
Clothes
Green waste
Plastic containers
Anything recyclable
Aluminium foil
Box scheme
Metal
Would you prefer the facility to be an extension to the current kerbside
scheme or a collecting point?
Kerbside collection 56%
Collecting point 44%
Action - District Council and extension
of current scheme
Older People
a.
Do you think there are enough facilities / activities available for older people?
No opinion 51%
Yes 38%
No 11%
- 27 -
Appendix 3
Suggestions: weekday lunches in winter, chess/cards/scrabble clubs, monthly
minibus outings, lunch club, coffee mornings, cheap reliable transport,
internet, seats on High Street, café, library, meetings with guest speakers,
more weekend events, Bingo, art club.
Young people
a.
Would you like a wider variety of equipment in the playground in the School
Field?
No opinion 45%
Yes 43%
0-5
No 12%
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
31-35
Slide
Climbing Frame
Roundabout
Rope Walk
See-saw
Items for older children
Anything
Skateboard surface
Wooden construction
Other comments; seats for adults, use of school facilities, shelter
Action - More equipment - Parish
Council
b.
Would you like an additional playground in the village?
No opinion 47%
No 32%
0-5
Yes 21%
6-10
11-15
16-20
Steppes
Putlake
Acton
Leeson House area
c.
Would you be interested in using/joining any of the following:
Live Music Event 38% Youth Club 16% Cricket Club 14% Football Club 9%
Other 12% Skateboard Park 11%
Other comments: Prayer/Bible study, book club, folk club, disco for local
children once a month, Christmas parties for local children, girls football,
film/theatre club, keep fit, Rainbows, big water park in Acton, drama
workshops, tennis club, workshops for younger children, rugby, badminton
club, cooking and interesting talks.
- 28 -
Appendix 4
Appendix 4 Additional comments received on survey forms
1a
Could Langton House / school / Putlake Adventure Farm become partners in such a
community venture that would include all the above and other matters raised in the
questionnaire??? There would be benefits for all parties – and funding possibilities
from many areas. And undercover activities could bring more visitors out of season /
in bad weather, bringing business opportunities to many.
We would like to see a new Parish Museum combined with a Jurassic Coast Visitors
Centre but feel the Parish Office should be kept separate.
Stone centre – history of quarrying etc.
2b
We already have some but too many people from outside occupy them
2d
Don’t use it to reduce other costs to the point there is no nett increase of tax paid.
People who can afford second homes should pay more council tax!!
Council tax should be charged at least 100% on second homes and the money raised
should go to the council where the second homes are. 2nd homes and holiday homes
are the scourge of this area. If there weren’t so many of them we would have no need
to provide “affordable” housing and my family would still live in this area.
If Council Tax is to be raised on second homes then the revenue should be prioritised
for the stresses and strains visitors bring to the area on the environment e.g. litter,
dog fouling, transport and the additional resources this entails.
As we are both over 80, our complete pension is used up paying the community
charge.
To assist Post Office / Store & other activities and projects and enhance the lives of
residents of the Parish.
This money should be used towards the up keep of the local church, village hall and
some towards facilities for local children.
Aim to encourage local children to be able to afford to live locally if they chose.
2e
….and control the use of domestic property for business use.
I regret the loss of the Top Shop.
The shop at the end of the village was sadly missed.
- 29 -
Appendix 4
Business companies such as the Stamp Company / Design Collection good for local
employment – Purbeck Stone to blend in.
2f
Definitely not! More night sky please……
It is already intrusive for star gazers and those who love the night sky.
Would appreciate if you could turn them off at 2330 hours so we can have the night
sky back please.
No, because we do not need any more light pollution.
It’s special – we want to see the stars!!
3a
More info on how these are run – but don’t like the idea – think we are privileged to
live in a relatively low crime area – we all look out for one another already when
neighbours go away.
4a
Parked cars best traffic calming measure
I would like to see parking on either side of the High Street banned so that vital
services can get through at all times, especially school times.
Anything practical that will slow the cars down. Access by trucks should be via
Kingston and not thro’ village.
Motorists must be prevented from parking on the footways, especially where the
footway is especially narrow.
Reduce the speed – use the playing field (top part) as a car park for the school – so
resident can park outside their own homes – children can go to school in safety.
More emphasis on areas in Swanage etc. where car racing etc. takes place. Not
enough police involvement , punishment, community work etc if convicted.
Stone built (with careful foliage planting for aesthetic appeal) road narrowing – single
lane passing points – especially near schools and P.O.
This would probably make parking even more of an issue if nothing is done about the
issue.
Speed humps, especially near the Old Malthouse. Cars speed past the entrance
making it very dangerous!
Already have one with parked cars.
- 30 -
Appendix 4
Also crossing for the children going to school in Swanage around Leeson House as
the pavement changes to the other side of the road.
I have no parking facilities but (unfortunately) the High Street. My car has suffered
damage twice (once seriously) just be parked there. I try to be considerate and
unobtrusive. What do you suggest?
The whole problem of traffic congestion has to be addressed.
It would be ridiculous to tamper with the present system as the unrestricted parking
provides traffic calming free of charge!
What are the alternatives – don’t think it’s the locals that speed up through Langton
its those ‘others’.
4b
Try enforcing existing limits first.
Larger 30MPH signs as displayed at Stoborough and Wool required.
They go very fast up hill also!
4c
Provide a proper car park – make some money.
What and where are turning circles?
Durnford Drove – signs painted on the road. Definitely no signs on new posts –
would destroy the character of the road.
Parking is a problem. There are many elderly persons in Langton not seriously
enough disabled to warrant a car sticker but needing easy park ability for short or
long term stops.
Only if absolutely necessary. Village = thought and consideration for others – without
notices and rules.
4d
One for the school – use top of playing field for parent to ‘drop off safely’ – zebra
crossing to school – reducing chaos at 8.30 and 3pm and stops children running all
over our gardens! Safety for children. School car park – make more money in
summer for parking or car park sales, fetes etc.
Parking is ok except for two periods during the day when school trips occur – why
not use the school field during these periods for parent parking.
Please no car park on the field which is used for St. Georges primary School and the
local children. Field to be left as a “green lung”.
Definitely no parking what so ever on the school playing field.
- 31 -
Appendix 4
Parking is required for the Church and the Village Hall, also (short term) for the Post
Office but there appears to be no space close enough. The difficult “one way traffic”
between the P.O and the Drove therefore seems inevitable (and some residents’ cars
are parked outside their houses).
A child often nearly gets run over because of all the ‘Mums’ cars, at St Georges
School, Langton. Opposite the school is their playing field, why can’t about 1/3 of the
field be made into a car park!. It would also be useful when there is something on at
the Village Hall or Church.
……People living in High Street to clear road of parking and allow 2 way traffic at
all times. The roads are not wide enough for buses and lorries.
More car parking is needed to give access to NT land and the Jurassic Coast.
Parking in the High Street acts as adequate traffic calming.
Large car parks would attract coaches; then there would be a demand for public
lavatories, café etc and so on……..
Both these ideas might encourage localised vandalism but either of these ideas would
be an ease on the present situation.
Height restriction to stop caravans/travellers.
You do need parking for the village school and for church functions and the village
hall and shop but where would you put the car park without making more chaos for
the locals who live in the village.
Would Putlake offer any land. Don’t like the idea of tarmac /concrete car park keep it
natural looking.
4e
Residents parking on High Street –(but useless unless enforced, which is the problem
in Worth – never any wardens!)
Resident parking only – car park for visitors ‘campers’
Parking restrictions wouldn’t be necessary if there was adequate parking for the
school – this is the main area which causes problems – residential parking is fine
without any hazards
I do not think you could have restricted parking without a reasonable car park being
provided. Yellow lines would be yet another nail in the coffin for our local shop.
The High St. should be kept clear. Could the pavement past the Old Cemetery be
moved just inside the wall providing space for cars? Too many cars are in the road
all the time. Residents permits should be costly, as in London, and off-road parking
must be provided.
- 32 -
Appendix 4
Definitely not. Langton does not have a parking problem.
As London residents during the week, we have a good deal of experience of residents
parking permits and parking restrictions, parking restrictions would kill the shop and
the pub.
Allowance for 1 car per ungaraged resident and overflow car park in support of
visitors, events etc. Yellow lines where road narrows (81 High Street juts out causing
havoc when people park thoughtlessly) or close to junctions (i.e.Durnford Drove and
Rectory Close)
Double yellow lines on one side at least. Residents should use their off road facilities
where they have them.
The more parked traffic – the slower the cars have to drive. Yellow lines look horrid –
preserve our village.
5a
Adequate except for the DEAD time during the afternoon (school days)
It would be nice if there was a bus to Swanage at about 3pm.
No – inconvenient – it would not be user friendly for taking children to school then
going to work in Swanage & the supermarkets are not good enough in Swanage.
Our children use buses to Poole, ok on the way (daylight) on the way back few buses
through Langton, dangerous to walk up Crack Lane in the dark. Also bus doesn’t stop
at Crack lane on the way back – children ended up in Herston.
5b
Anywhere open to the elements and both sides of the road
……Also a clock would be nice by the Scout Hut!
Tasteful construction using local materials
Only in non conservation areas. If built, should be built in local materials.
Standardised suburban street furniture is not appropriate in Langton, and will obstruct
the view down the High Street to the Isle of Wight.
Brollies are ok. Pavements probably too narrow – don’t look very pretty.
5d
Excellent Idea – could lead to better ‘community’ links. Of use to all residents.
5e
Only from Worth. Car sharing?
School to organise but parents to pay – those outside catchment area who chose to
attend the school should have to use the system.
- 33 -
Appendix 4
Although the majority of children these days are so loud and always spitting and
throwing things, if they vandalised the buses the parents should pay and the children
then exempt from using.
Save the multitude of 4x4’s etc that overwhelm the High Street and passage of buses
etc.
Double yellow lines. It is difficult to justify any parking on a main street.
5f
No – leave it all alone! Too many fussy ‘improvements’– denting the character of
footpaths
Footpaths / rights of way need maintenance. Lets have someone who is paid to do it,
along with someone who cares enough to see it done. The NT does its bit when asked
– but lets have a POSITIVE approach. The network is a huge asset to the village – for
residents and visitors. Those who look forward to income from visitors, maintain then
extend and improve.
An urgent requirement for the Village is widening of the footpath between Steppes
Hill House and Crack Lane.
The path by the side of the Kings Arms reopened down to Gypshayes (I have a map
with it still showing!) I now see someone has erected a gate with PRIVATE on it.
Stile is broken from Old Malthouse Lane to Norman’s Quarry just past Micky
Murray’s old house.
Do not take away the character of the old stiles.
No – as little interference as is necessary.
5g
The danger is (say) on the country roads such as LM to Kingston. But hills rather
limit recreational cycling! This is a very costly game - but alongside the railway?
Horse riding access available as roads are becoming increasingly dangerous for
those riders. More bridleways and maybe only controlled speeds i.e. walk / trot no
cantering/ galloping!!
From Acton to Swanage and back. The dangerous bit is from Langton turn to Victoria
Bridge – both ways….but this is outside the Parish.
There is enough room on footpaths
Worth – Priests Way – Acton – end of Toms Field Road – end of Durnford Drove –
end of Hyde – back of Steppes Hill – through L:eeson House to north of Centre –
Gully – across main road at special crossing – alongside pavement past Swanage
Middle School – alongside road – run alongside railway to Court Road. Giving access
without use of road for leisure, shopping and schools, both ways.
- 34 -
Appendix 4
Don’t advertise it as a cycleway – it will become like the Camel Trail from Padstow –
Wadebridge. The trouble is what is good when you are on holiday may not be as good
when you live here.
6a
Don’t know area very well as yet – just moved in but have walked in more dog mess
in 2 weeks here than in 3 years in Swanage.
At strategic spots – lanes. There is an unpleasant growth in the number of discarded
plastic bags – people are (sometimes) “bagging it” – but nowhere to “bin” it.
Dog owners should take the mess with them (if the mess is in the fields it is o.k. and
is allowed under recent byelaws.
Why do people leave dog muck in plastic bags in hedgerows???
Informal signs have been put up at the back of the Kings Arms and dog mess
collected and owners asked to take it away.
6b
N Staffs have brown wheelie bins for grass cuttings which are collected fortnightly.
I have been in correspondence with Westport House regarding a mini recycling site.
Boxes not much help in Acton as they would blow away easily and lids blow off –
also animals could cause problems. However they would help people without cars to
recycle.
7a
As an outsider there seems to be lots going on – much better than London!!
What about a non-profit making bus to take elderly residents shopping on a weekly
basis. Could it be sponsored by Tesco?
At least monthly (minibus) outing e.g. Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth,
Christchurch or even half day trips, just something to look forward to.
The Village Hall and Church does a splendid job.
8b
Near Steppes most of the youths skateboard etc. down Durnford Drove and
surrounding area.
Perhaps something to encourage the older children to stay out of Swanage, Poole.
A decent range as is currently provided for Kings Park Swanage.
- 35 -
Appendix 4
8c
The only music we constantly get are the Yetties every year. A change from their
annual event would be quite nice.
I think everyone in the village would be interested in the top events because a lot of
families could help by taking it in a rota system i.e. football + cricket club.
The Youth Club could be held either in the Village Hall or Scout Hut. A live music
event could be held on the school field because I feel if we don’t use these we could
lose them.
These clubs are well catered for in the locality e.g. Swanage.
9
Thanks for the initiative – I hope it all bears fruit!
Very difficult to assist meaningfully in this questionnaire due to not using most of the
services – apologies.
I would like to know what the impact of the extensive powers & funds allocated to the
Vital Villages scheme has on local democracy. Surely all those matters should and
could be discussed and implemented by our Parish Council? What is the justification
for this additional level of bureaucracy, surely if the government feels it wants to
regenerate local political activity and inject investment into rural areas this should be
done through our Parish Council.
Set up local business to help local people.
Please do not change our lovely village. You are not allowing us to have a greater
say. You are simply imposing your policies.
So many villages were spoilt in the 60’s it must not be allowed to happen in Langton
1 We need to slow traffic down drastically
2 All larger vehicles should access quarries from the Kingston direction and not
through village.
3 Young children should have a place to go just to meet as this will reduce the
problems on the street
4 Access to Swanage for the elderly could be made easier by using the school buses
as a taxi service and charging a token amount.
5 A meeting / day centre for the elderly could be made available
Car parking – main issue – the school run – spoils the village they need their own car
park – some parents do not care where they park – or whose drive they block – or if
their children are running all over somebody’s garden. Besides that Langton is a
beautiful village with very lovely people in it
I hope the village will avoid becoming too suburban, with double yellow lines, dog
bins, speed humps and join the tourist jamboree with Jurassic Coast visitor centre etc.
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Appendix 4
It’s a great place much as it is. Parking down the High Street at school times is
dreadful but at all other times is ok. School bus should collect.
I agree! Wholeheartedly! Lets try and avoid the area becoming a theme park and all
too easy!
The problem with parking restrictions is enforcement. The system must be capable of
preventing parking by the most unsociable of drivers.
As residents of 6 East Acton Fields we are currently trying to arrange for a new
access route into Acton Fields Campsite for use by campers. This is a common view
of many people in Acton Fields and also agreed with by the campsite owners. The
reason for this is exceptional amounts of traffic immediately outside our property at
any time of the day causing great nuisance, spoiling our enjoyment of the area at the
school holiday periods and moreover the real danger presented to our children playing
at the front of the house in what should be a quiet bridle path. Please assist us with
details of who to contact to achieve this new access route that shall only be used
during the campsite opening period.
Attention needed to height of trees by footpath backing Gypshayes to the south.
Branches overhang path, shading the therefore wet path, light obscured from gardens
(new government legislation re such problems)
We do need to protect our heritage, but it seems as a place becomes more attractive
locals and their offspring will not be able to live here due to housing etc. beyond their
financial reach. Money rules in all areas of the U.K also protection from too much
development is vital!!
1 Would be interested to know why comments are only invited on “yes” answers, and
not on “no” answers.
2 This is a village, can we try and slow down the increasing urbanisation, if not, why
not just amalgamate with Swanage.
3 Leave the roads alone, local people use their heads when parking. Problems only
happen when tourists and school traffic occur. The rest of the time we seem to get on
o.k.
If yellow lines were introduced it would encourage speeding and seriously affect all
of us who have to park on the road.
It would be good if the congestion at the school in the mornings could be changed.
One day there will be a nasty accident as parents rush to get their children to school.
Maybe a bus or car sharing could be organized.
1. Every effort should be made to retain the village in its present form.
2. Whilst it would be a good idea to assist genuine local young people, who have lived
and been to school in the area all of their lives, to afford to buy property (ideally in
the form of a grant and not in property specially constructed) in the village or
surrounding area, everything would have to be done to stop misuse of such a system
from ‘outsiders’.
The single most important feature for the village is to re-establish a discreet re-cycle
Centre as the village has suffered from recent closures.
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Appendix 4
We would like to thank all who helped to compile the questionnaire. A lot of work has
gone into it.
Council Tax rates are rocketing, unfortunately Villagers cannot be expected to
support the extension of facilities, equipment etc., that would force Council Tax rates
even higher. Neither do we want facilities that would be a magnet to outsiders –
which would exaggerate further road congestion, car parking / maintenance problems
and road safety problems.
Small part of St Georges playing field be set aside for teachers parking and for
parents dropping off / picking up children. Thus stopping the severe congestion each
school day around 0900 and 1500 in the High Street, causing indiscriminate parking,
across access points as well.
Longer visits from the Library i.e. 1 – 2 hours. Purbeck Council should be giving
residents of Kingston / Worth / Acton and Langton a discount on Council Tax
because of the lack of local amenities i.e. Chemist.
Free parking in Swanage inadequate as many shops do not open until 9.30 am.
Keep the Village as it is.
Keep the Council Tax down.
Don’t look for further expense.
Every effort should be made to protect existing businesses, this includes the Pubs, the
Post Office, local tradesmen, the quarries and the farms. They are essential in keeping
the village lively.
There should be a big sign on all the roads leading to the three Purbeck Hill villages,
(and on the Ferry) extolling what we have to offer, especially the walking leading to
the Heritage Coast. We could absorb more tourism which would help support the
businesses and B&B’s.
The aim should be to improve lifestyle – but not make Langton Matravers like a town.
If the parking situation could be sorted in Langton – I would be a happy person. I am
sickand tired of risking damage to my car every morning when I go to work.
I am also not prepared to back anything that would cause an increase in Council Tax
– we already pay the earth for nothing – and for people on low pay who do not claim
any benefits it is an unacceptable burden.
That the Range Rover type of vehicle parked outside the cottage at the top of the hill
be removed from the highway where it causes obstruction. There is ample room for it
to be parked off the road but the people are too lazy. There are times when 2 vehicles
are there and being parked on the brow of a hill is an offence on its own.
The turning circle at the end of Tom’s Field Road never gets swept as the mobile road
sweeper is incapable of doing this. As a consequence it never gets cleaned and as it is
the lowest part of the street, all the debris after heavy rain collects in the circle.
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Appendix 4
We would like a mirror at the end of the road (Steppes Hill) as the cars speed up the
hill and come round the corner by the Ship very fast.
More Parish meeting open to all to discuss local issues. We moved here four years
agoand still feel very much like outsiders. Langton is not very welcoming to new
people – if you are interested in the Church (not being religious) there is little
opportunity to meet people. Perhaps better publicity of Village Hall events etc.
Lighting through the village is so close together it looks “clustered”.
Why is there no lighting at each end of the village? Could not the lighting have been
spaced more appropriately?
Keeping hedges down for driving safety and pedestrians have to walk on the street,
where no pavements and hedges are sticking out – dangerous for all. Plus I never see
a street cleaner down Steppes.
As a last comment, I went to my husband’s grave the grass was all overgrown, it was
terrible and very upsetting as it was very hard for me to tidy it. I keep his grave tidy,
but I can’t cut the grass or use the strimmer which it badly needed. I hope all my
comments help.
No Overnight camping signs to be erected in relevant areas i.e. Bottom of Durnford
Drove, Spyway car park, High Street
All houses coming up for sale should have restrictions upon them (not second homes)
until local needs are catered for. Hopefully the government will soon raise Council
Tax on second homes, discouraging buyers of such.
I would like to be able to rent an allotment if there were one in the village.
I would like to see the pavements here in Harmans Cross which fall into Langton
Parish made safe by improving the surface and cutting back the trees and scrub that
is growing over the pavements. It means you have to step on to the road in places.
We would like a speed limit on the Steppes Estate.
It would enhance the award winning group of houses in Three Acre Lane if electricity
and telephone cables could be laid underground and not running between poles as at
present.
It is, after all, within a Conservation Area.
Why was so much money used on postage – both sending and returning envelopes in
a small village, where we have the Advertiser delivered. Why could they also not
have delivered this questionnaire?
Cul de Sac signs to be put up where appropriate, and people with businesses (e.g.
builders etc. with large vans) to make it clear to them that they do not park opposite
peoples driveways (perhaps a notice could be sent out with the next Council Tax
letters). I have not been able to get into my driveway now for ages and if an
emergency service vehicle had to come down the road, there are some days it would
be practically impossible.
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Appendix 4
I would like to see the clearing of “dumped” items, e.g.1) alongside Priests Way,
Acton there has been a freezer dumped on the quarry land, plus a rusting dumper
truck, for over a year. 2) car in field outside village, on left, going towards Kingston.
Bus timetables should be changed to prevent returning buses meeting outward bound
Buses in our High Street. This is at present a frequent event causing chaotic
congestion every day.
Why no list of committee as referred to at bottom of first page? Was this considered
an embarrassment to be avoided.
The bend in the road after Durnford Drove should have cross hatches to prevent
parking. This is very dangerous limiting view of oncoming traffic.
High Street to be regularly kept clean and tidy – by Local Authority/CC?
Local rented housing was built at Steppes for 8 families, 2 of which were for
Encombe leaving six for locals, of which 3 are local,3 are not.
More and better litter bins.
Most of the present activities are geared to people who are retired.
Bridle Way at Acton Fields needs to be repaired due to too much use from campers!
My main concern is the speed of the traffic that screams past Bower Cottage, 17 out
of 20 over 50 mph, 14 0f these over 60mph and 8 over 70mph and 5 over 80mph. The
Parish Council are more worried about vehicles arriving from Kingston, Worth and
Acton. I served on Corfe Castle P.C. for 26 years, if there were more than one
problem all problems were addressed. L.M.P.C has never been interested in this end
of the area and never will be.
Village sign should read
“Langton Matravers welcomes you, visit the museum, discover who stored smuggled
brandy in the Church, marvellous walking to the Heritage Coast etc. etc.”
We live in a great village, a place where a real community spirit exists. While I feel
that there are improvements to be made, we should resist ’urbanisation’, and let
people who want perfect roads and ultra modern facilities move to the other side of
the hill!
We appreciate being asked for comments and thank those responsible for the plan for
their hard work. Langton is a very special village and we are confident that it will
remain a vibrant village in the 21st Century. The traditional nature of the village
architecture is very special, but its character will quickly be eroded if the traditional
architecture is not respected. We hope that the Conservation Officers views will be
sought and respected over many of these matters so that changes may be made
sensitively.
As second homeowners , we are more aware of the problems caused when too many
Homes lie empty for most of the year. Second homeowners are not all the same but
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Appendix 4
all people in the village should be encouraged to use the shop and pub and Swanage
shops rather than supermarkets to keep the money in the area. (We buy food in
Swanage, Corfe and Langton and take it back to London)
Could a fund be set up within the village to help buy land or convert existing property
into smaller units for young families? Also to help people retain traditional features in
their homes – it was a pity, for example, that the stone wall in “smoke alley” was
allowed to fall down and that it was replaced with concrete pillars and wood slats
We hope that full-time residents will be able to call on part-time ones for help and
suggestions. We care about Langton as much as full-time residents. We may also
have useful skills and expertise.
Part of Langtons charm is its friendliness, the Church and Village Hall consistently
offer diverse events and Langton Field offers lively and noisy events to please many!
However always the problem of parking shrieks attention way above the “Knees-up”.
Continue to use the field for occasional parking and discourage speed driving
through the village and awkward parking. A regular minibus system if only to join up
with the main bus routes would all help to put an end to bottlenecks caused regularly
by school run parking and church/hall activities thought out constructively and we’d
all be happier (+resident permits)
Possibly car parking and extra playground could be considered together for one site
……but where?
I would like to see a return to the time honoured custom of residents in the central
High Street weeding and brushing regularly the area of footpath outside their own
premises.
Generally very happy with current situations in Langton but if you are able to
improve….all the better.
More activities in the evenings for people that work during the day (mon-fri) i.e. in
Village Hall Yoga classes etc.
Any local authority house only sold to Dorset residents.
There must be a balance between village life and catering for the needs of seasonal
visitors without losing the character of the village. Could a portion of the School
Field be used for school parking?
Please consider the consequences of
(a) traffic signs, calming devices, parking lines etc.
(b) additional lights causing the night sky to be obliterated.
Re facilities, tennis courts, swimming pool etc, apart from the enormous expense,
where in the Parish are such urban necessities going to be sited? Long term residents
of Langton will be well versed in some of the grandiose schemes outlined in this
questionnaire and have managed quite nicely by enjoying such facilities at Swanage
& Wareham when the fancy takes them. To retain the special character of Langton we
have to enhance and refine what we already have! Not to turn it into a dormitory of
Swanage.
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Appendix 4
Encourage more young to middle age people to involve themselves in village
activities.
Village Hall Committee
If any of the concerts get so booked up spaces should be limited – could the church be
used instead – it needs to be used for lots of different things.
We all love living in Langton, we moved 20 years ago and have enjoyed being part of
the village, have battled for swings on school field, young peoples representation
‘Young Band at the ‘Knees Up’. Arrangements for the Millenium Concert i.e. battled
with conflicts of views e.g. Young versus Old – There is lots to do in Langton if you
want it. If you don’t that’s ok too – you can hide. You can be whoever you want to
be.
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Afterword
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
This Plan now goes to the Parish Council with the recommendations of the
Steering Group so that they can form an Action Plan.
Action Required
Action required by
New Parish Office / Museum
Use of existing tennis courts / swimming
pool at
Old Malthouse / Langton House
Need for affordable housing
Parish Council
Parish Council
Neighbourhood watch schemes
Traffic calming through village
Staggered speed limit at top end of village
No parking signs in turning circles
Car park
Bus shelters
Community Bus / Minibus
School transport
Dog mess bins
Extension of recycling facilities
Additional playground equipment
Members of the Parish Plan Steering Committee
David Pearson – Chairman
Judith Priddle - Secretary
Gary Ayres
Jim Bradford
Mary Duncan
Brian Glassock
Julian Harris
Matthew Haysom
Steve Lacey
Michael Lovell
Ann Mounsey
Val Murray
Norman Priddle
Robert Watton
Peter White
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Parish & District
Councils
P. Council/Police
Authority
Parish Council
County Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council/School
Parish Council
District Council
Parish Council
Afterword
The Parish Council of Langton
Matravers
The Council decided at its March meeting of 2002 to respond to the Government’s
Rural White Paper by inviting Dorset Community Action to assist us in producing a
Parish Plan. The production of a Plan was fundamentally to give the local
community an absolutely free hand to express its ideas and aspirations for our village.
The Parish Council was the prime mover and ‘banker’ of the funds provided by the
Countryside Commission but not the architect of the Plan. The Plan is the work of a
small band of volunteers supported by the greater part of the village and the Parish
Council wishes to place on record its sincere appreciation of their dedication.
Some communities have had great difficulty in attracting people and were unable to
produce a plan and some have had to rely on gentle coercion and entreaty to form a
group but not so in Langton Matravers where the response was immediate and
heartening.
The completed Plan has been deposited with the Parish Council. The volunteers of
the Steering Group are listed on the preceding page and they deserve more than that
this document should be merely “filed”.
It is our avowed intention to thank them by trying to achieve their aims.
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