Vision document – next steps
Following an extensive process of consultation to define a neighbourhood plan for our village, the
Vision Group, led by Councillors Mark Rogers and Bob McLean, has developed the attached draft
document for the final part of the discussion process, namely a public meeting. The issues
highlighted below were solely raised by Kings Langley villagers as part of the initial consultation
process; the ‘vision’ and ‘possible actions’ are an initial response to those issues, including many of
the suggestions those villagers made. The document when it is finalised after the meeting will
potentially provide a ‘living’ strategy for future developments in Kings Langley.
The public meeting will be held between 10am-12 noon on Saturday 20th February in the Community
Centre; it will be widely advertised in a variety of media including the Parish Council noticeboards
and website, MyKings, Kings Langley Matters Facebook page and Radio Dacorum. Invitations will
also go to as many High Street businesses, churches, schools, societies and clubs as possible. The
format of the meeting will be a short introduction, followed by facilitated discussion of the five
subject headings, supported by a PowerPoint presentation outlining the initial consultation findings.
The five subject headings are:
1. Communication
2. Transport – traffic, roads, parking, pedestrian
3. Local environment – green issues
4. Local business
5. Recreation facilities and activities for youth / mature groups and associations
As part of the introduction, it will be explained that some of the possible actions cannot be resolved
solely by the meeting, e.g. traffic in the High Street, inconsiderate parking, as the Parish Council may
need to subsequently lobby the County Council or local police, identify funding sources, etc.
In addition to the examples in the draft document of possible actions or activities, it is anticipated
that many of those present will have their own thoughts and suggestions. Whilst it is not intended
that the meeting should get involved in detailed discussion of all the ideas, it is likely that each of the
topic headings will provide an opportunity for constructive debate and further proposals.
It is expected that, as a result, there will be opportunities for villagers to take forward some of the
identified actions or ideas put forward in the consultation or at the public meeting, e.g. reducing
speeding traffic, fashion/art shows, heritage walks, cooking/baking exhibitions or other new
activities. The ‘outcomes’ from the draft document and the meeting will be a list of possible actions
and meeting attendees (including potential ‘champions’), to be considered by the Vision Group.
It will be for the Vision Group to make proposals, including potential timescales, to the Parish
Council at the next suitable meeting.
Draft ‘Vision’ document for Kings Langley
The intention of the Kings Langley Vision is to identify and respond (where possible) to village views
on a wide range of local issues and put forward proposals for improving life in our community. The
issues highlighted below were solely raised by Kings Langley villagers as part of the initial
consultation process; the ‘vision’ and ‘possible actions’ set out below are a preliminary response to
those issues, but also include many of the suggestions made. The next stage is to organise a public
meeting to discuss these issues, although it does not preclude villagers raising additional issues at
this meeting.
What is the Parish Council trying to achieve?
1. To give our community a voice and opportunity to participate in local issues; to identify key
issues for village residents, businesses and visitors;
2. To contribute to the Parish Council’s plans for the next 3, 5 and 10 years and provide a
mandate for seeking Borough, County Council or other action or funding, e.g. the Big Lottery
Fund; and
3. To identify priorities, with plans, ideally to be implemented within a manageable and
realistic timescale.
The Kings Langley Vision is intended to be a ‘living’ document, subject to regular review.
1. Communication
1(a) Issue: The need for better communication within the village and between the Parish Council
and local residents, businesses and visitors.
Vision – To improve communication with and between local people, businesses, visitors, statutory
or voluntary groups and the Parish Council through a range of media.
Possible Action – To improve village communication by exploiting traditional and online ‘contact’
methods e.g. Wi-Fi connectivity, websites (including the Parish Council website), Facebook and
other social networking websites, Twitter and other micro blogging sites, newsletters, emails,
YouTube and other video clips and podcast sites.
2. Transport – traffic, roads, parking, pedestrian
2(a) Issue: The need to reduce speeds on Hempstead Road and Chipperfield Road.
Vision – To introduce a 30mph speed limit throughout the village boundaries.
Possible Action – consult local residents in Chipperfield Road and Hempstead Road about
introducing a 30mph speed limit.
2(b) Issue – The need to address ‘pinch points’ for traffic flow on the High Street.
Vision – To improve the smooth, safe flow of traffic through our village.
Possible Action – To provide limited pavement parking on southbound side of the High Street.
2(c) Issue – The need to address inconsiderate parking e.g. on verges, junctions, corners and near
school entrances.
Vision – To prevent driving onto grass verges, e.g. opposite Kings Langley Football Club, Great
Park, and to prevent inconsiderate parking, e.g. Kings Langley Primary School, Church Lane
opposite Sunderland’s Yard.
Possible Action – To install wooden or cement bollards to prevent driving onto grass verges.
Possible Action - To consider the increased use of yellow lines to prevent dangerous parking on
corners.
Possible Action – To discuss with local police the potential deployment of a PCSO or special
constable to address inconsiderate parking near local schools during term times.
2(d) Issue – The need to improve the free flow of two-way traffic in side roads near or off the High
Street.
Vision – To improve the free flow of two-way traffic in identified side roads.
Possible Action – To consult with local residents of, for example, Blackwell Road/Waterside or
Vicarage Lane/Common Lane about the possibility of some form of one way system to ease access
and traffic flow.
2(e) Issue – The need for car parking spaces near the High Street.
Vision – To improve the availability of car parking spaces on or near the High Street.
Possible Action – To discuss with High Street and other local businesses the use of their car parking
spaces when they are not in use.
Possible Action – To consider the installation of bike racks on the High Street to encourage cycling
and reduce the need for car parking spaces.
2(f) Issue – The need for safe cycle paths between Kings Langley and local towns.
Vision – To improve the safety of cyclists travelling to Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Abbots
Langley.
Possible Action – To discuss with British Waterways how canal footways between Hemel
Hempstead and Watford can be made more ‘cycle’ friendly by improving pathways and signage.
Possible Action – To discuss with Abbots Langley Parish Council how the route between the two
villages can be made more ‘cyclist’ friendly by improving cycle routes and signage, e.g. via Egg
Farm Lane.
3. Local environment – green issues
3(a) Issue - Grand Union Community Energy (GUCE) would like Kings Langley to strive for a zero
carbon footprint status; this could include a solar farm initiative.
Vision - To improve our village environment as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s active
management of the village’s impact on climate change.
Possible Action – To discuss with GUCE the opportunities for achievable improvements to our
village environment, e.g. consulting residents on possibly switching more street lights off at night,
the ‘Transition Streets’ initiative to reduce utilities costs for local neighbourhoods.
4. Local business
4(a) Issue: The need for more ‘general’ stores, e.g. bakers, on the High Street.
Vision – To encourage opportunities for one or more general stores on the High Street.
Possible Action – To discuss with, for example, Transition in Kings, the options for a ‘market shop’
on the High Street.
5. Recreation facilities and activities for youth /
mature groups and associations
5(a) Issue: The need for more indoor activities in our village, including creative activities.
Vision - To explore the opportunities for one or more additional indoor activities in the village.
Possible Action – To discuss with, for example, local schools and churches, opportunities for
hosting indoor day-time or evening activities, e.g. fashion/art shows, cooking or baking
exhibitions.
5(b) Issue: The need for more outdoor activities in our village, including creative activities.
Vision - To explore the opportunities for one or more additional outdoor activities in the village.
Possible Action – To discuss with, for example, Rudolf Steiner and Kings Langley Schools, and with
local businesses, societies or clubs, opportunities for creative outdoor day-time or evening
activities, e.g. astronomy, skate ramp, heritage walks, installing a sundial on the Common, murals
on temporary structures such as hoardings.
Possible Action – To explore the opportunities for an additional children’s playground in the
village, e.g. on the green at the junction with Coniston Road, Love Lane, Barnes Lane and Common
Lane.