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Dartington Open Space, Sport and Recreation Plan 2017 1

DartingtonOpenSpace,SportandRecreationPlan2017

ExecutiveSummary

Dartingtonisabeautifulandmuch-lovedparishneighbouringTotnes,nestledbetweenthemoorsandtheseaintheSouthHams.ItcomprisesthevillageofDartington,theDartingtonHallEstate,anumberofhamletsandishometoaround1800people.

Recentplanningdecisionswillresultinasignificantincreaseinhousing,populationandtrafficnotonlyinDartingtonbutalsoTotnes.Thiswillhavemajorconsequenceforlocalfacilities,manyofwhicharealreadyinseriousneedofimprovementandrenewal.

Overthelasttwoyearspeoplefromacrosstheparishhavebeeninvolvedinextensiveconsultationexaminingcurrentfacilities,understandinglocalneedandagreeingprioritiesforopenspaces,sportandrecreation.Thishasbeenahighlyinclusiveprocessdrawinginthosewholive,work,visitandstudyintheparishaswellasthosewithastatutoryresponsibilityforprovidingservices.Peoplearenowreadyforsomethingtohappen:thereisaclearconsensusandpassiontogetstarted.

Dartingtonaspirestobeaplacewherethereareopportunitiesforplay,sportandrecreationforallregardlessofage,meansorabilitythatmakethemostofthewonderfulnaturalenvironmentand,wherenecessary,re-imagineorre-developexistingfacilities.

Importanttotheseaspirationsarelandownersacrosstheparishandinparticular,theDartingtonHallTrust,whichleaseslandandpropertytolocalorganisations,businessesandindividuals.

Theprioritiesforopenspaces,sportandrecreationfortheparishare:

1. Topreserve,protectandnurturethemanypaths,openspacesandwoodlandacrosstheparish.2. TorecognisetheMeadowbrookareaasafuturehubforplay,sportandrecreationinthevillage.3. Tosupportandenabletheexistingclubsforsportandrecreationtogrowandflourish.

Recommendationsfortheshortandmediumtermare:

1. Todevelopadventurous,inclusiveandimaginativeplayfacilitiesforallatMeadowbrook.2. TodeveloptheMeadowbrookCommunityCentreandsurroundingareatobecomeahubforsportandrecreation.3. ToimprovefacilitiesattheFoxholecricketclub.


1. Aim

Thisplansetsouttheprioritiesforthedevelopmentandimprovementofopenspaces,sportandrecreationfortheparishofDartington.Ithasbeenassembledafterextensiveconsultationwithresidents,clubs,schoolsandotherstakeholdersovertwoyearsandconsidersnotonlytheneedoftheparishnowbuthowtheyarelikelytochangeasitandtheneighbouringtownofTotnesgrowsasaresultofhousingdevelopment.

2. Introduction

Inthefollowingsectionswedemonstrateourunderstandingofcurrentpolicyandevidenceofneed(section3),andthenprovideanoverviewoftheexistingfacilitiesinourparish,highlightingthequalityandaccessissueswhererelevant(section4).Thisisfollowedbyadescriptionoforganisedsportandrecreationopportunities(section5).Wethensetoutourproposalandprioritiesforimprovingexistingfacilitiestomeettheneedsofourgrowingcommunity(section6).

Thisplanreflectstheaspirationsoftheentirecommunityandtheneedsthathavebeenidentified.WehavetriedhardtotakeintoaccounttheneedsofeveryoneregardlessofageorabilityandbelievethatDartingtonshouldbeaparishthatofferssomethingforeveryone:residents,peopleworkingandgoingtoschoolintheareaandvisitors.Thisplanshouldserveasatouchstoneforanyconsiderationoffundingforsportandrecreationinthecommunity,particularlybutnotlimitedtofundsearmarkedfortheparishasaresultofSection106agreements.1

Wehavemadeextensiveuseofappendicesandfootnotessoastokeepthebodyofthereportshort,clearandaccessible.Theplanwillbeupdated,withaformalreviewdueinsummerof2019.

1SouthHamsDistrictCouncilrequestcontributionsfromnewhousingdevelopmenttowardsnewandimprovedOSSRfacilitieswhereitisconsideredthatadevelopmentwillhavesignificantimpactsonthelocalarea.ThesecontributionsaresecuredthroughSection106(s106)legalagreementsbetweenLocalPlanningAuthoritiesanddevelopersandlinkedtoplanningpermissions,andarebasedonpolicyrequirementssetoutwithintheSHDCCoreStrategy(2006–policyCS8)andtheassociatedSHDCOpenSpace,SportandRecreationSPD(2006).

Thecollectionanduseofs106fundsaredictatedbytheCommunityInfrastructureLevy(CIL)Regulations2012.Thepurposestowhichthefundsareappliedmustbe:• Necessarytomakethedevelopmentacceptableinplanningterms;• Directlyrelatedtothedevelopment;and• Fairlyandreasonablyrelatedinscaleandkindtothedevelopment.


3. Contextandassessmentofneed

3a.Abriefprofileoftheparish

LocatedintheheartoftheSouthHamsequidistantfromtheseaandthemoors,Dartingtonparishisasought-afterplacetolivewithastrongsenseofcommunity.Itcomprisesthevillage,anetworkofhamlets(Week,Longcause,Tigley,Brooking,HuxhamsCrossandHood)andtheDartingtonHallEstate[seemap–appendix1].ThevillageofDartingtondoesnothaveacentreassuchbutwiththeexceptionofTheCottPub,mostamenities(PostOffice,garage,caféandschools)areclusteredaroundtheintersectionoftheA384andA385.WiththevibranttownofTotnesonthedoorstepoftheparish,itisimpossibletothinkoftheneedsofDartingtonwithoutacknowledgingthefacilitiesofthetown.Andviceversa,thefacilitiesoftheparishbenefitresidentsofTotnes.Asbothplacesgrowwearekeentoensurethatinvestmentinsportandrecreationisconsideredacrossthetwocommunities.

Accordingtothe2011census,theparishhad750householdsand1755residents.2ThepopulationhaslikelyincreasedsincetheadditionoftheSawmillFieldsHousingdevelopmentof65properties–amixofstarterandfamilyhomes–in2016.Theparishhasahigherthanaverageelderlypopulationwith460residentsagedover65(26%inDartingtoncomparedwith16%inEngland).Therearearound275childrenagedunder16.Theycomprise16%ofthepopulationwhichisbroadlyinlinewiththeEnglishaverageof19%.Justundersixinten(58%)residentsareofworkingage.Justover40%ofhouseholdsareheadedbyacouple(marriedorcohabitating),27%arepensionerhouseholdsand5%areloneparentfamilies.

Theprofileofthevillageinsomeregardsisinlinewiththenationalaverage.Asanillustration,takingpeoplelivingonalowincome:onefifthofhouseholdsclaimhousingandcounciltaxbenefit(comparedwith21%inEngland),29adultsclaimincomesupport(2.8%inDartingtoncomparedwith3.2%inEngland)and95householdsareestimatedtobeinfuelpoverty(15%comparedwith11%inEngland).Intermsofhealth,150residentsaged16-64describedthemselvesaslivingwithalimitinglong-termillness.ThisisslightlyabovetheEnglishaverage(15%comparedwith13%).3

ThereisanotablecontrastbetweenthenationalaverageandDartingtonwhenitcomestoemployment.Around329peoplewerefulltimeemployees(thisis27%of16-74comparedwith39%inEngland),however145peopleworkedfromhome(12%comparedwith4%inEngland)and247(20%comparedwith10%)wereself-employed.Therewere295peopleemployedinthepublicsector(38%comparedwith29%).Furthermore,theparishhasadisproportionatelywell-educatedpopulationwith685educatedtodegreelevelorhigher(46%comparedwith27%).[Formoredetailedinformationonthesociodemographicsoftheparishseetheruralcommunityprofile]2Source:ACRE(2013)RuralcommunityprofileforDartington(Parish),DevonCommunitiesTogether.[Seehttps://dartingtonnp.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/ruralplaceprofile_e04003142_dartington.pdf]3Source:ACRE(2013)RuralcommunityprofileforDartington(Parish),DevonCommunitiesTogether


Insummary,theparishbucksthetrendwhenitcomestoworkinglifewithmanypeopleoptingtoworkforthemselvesorfromhome.Thepublicsectorisalsoabigemployerfortheparish.Althoughbynomeansadeprivedcommunity,theproportionofpeopleinfuelpovertyorclaiminghousingbenefitisinlinewithnationalaverage.Theproportionofolderpeopleandthosewithlimitinglong-termhealthproblemsishighcomparedtonationalaverages.

3b.Reviewofexistingpolicies

Wehavereviewedrelevantlocalpoliciestoensureouranalysisofneedandproposedplansarefullyalignedwiththoseproducedbylocalstatutorybodies.Weseethreethatareofmostrelevancetothisplan.

ThefirstisthePlymouthandSouthWestDevonJointLocalPlan,whichistheshareddevelopmentstrategyforthethreeauthoritiessettingoutprioritiesuntil2034.Itincludestheallocationofnewhousesacrossthearea.TotnesandDartingtonareseenascommunitiessuitablefordevelopmentandhavebeenallocated529and262newhousesrespectively(p203-209).4ThisisamajorincreaseforDartington–adding25%totheexistinghousingstockandconsequentlyprobablyaroundatleastanadditional500residents.AlongsidetheexpansionproposedforTotnes,thisisamajorgrowthinpopulationandconsequentlycreatesagreaterneedforcommunityinfrastructure,includingsportandrecreationfacilities.

ThesecondrelevantpolicyisthePlayingPitchStrategyforSouthHamsandWestDevonwhichsetsoutprioritiesforsportspitchesandrelatedfacilitiesacrossthearea.Itisbasedonathoroughandextensiveneedsassessmentconductedduring2014.5Theassessmentconsideredexistingfacilitiesintheparishandconcludedtherewerenoissuesidentifiedforfootballorrugby.Thecricketpitchwasratedasstandardbutacknowledgedthepoorartificialsurfaceandlowqualityofnetsandwicket.Needswerehighlightedinrelationtohockeybutthesehavesincebeenaddressedbyamajorinvestmentinthenewastro-turffacilityatKingEdwardsVICommunityCollege(KEVICC).Thereportincludessophisticatedforecastingofthefutureneedforpitchesforrugby,football,cricketandhockeyintheTotnessubarea(whichincludesDartington)andstatesthattheparishiswellserved.(SeeAppendix2formoredetailedfindingsfromthereport).

Itisimportanttonotethattheneedassessmentfocussedonlyonfoursportsandgavelittleconsiderationtothesportandrecreationneedsoftheveryyoung,theelderly,womenandpeoplewithdisabilities.

ThethirdrelevantpolicyistheJointHealthandWellbeingStrategy(2016-2019)fromDevonNHSauthoritiesandDevonCountyCouncilwhichtracksabroadrangeofmetricsagainstnationalaveragesandidentifiesfivepriorities,focussingonempoweringindividualssupportedbyfamilyandcommunities.6Itrecognisesthevalueinshiftingeffortsawayfromtreatmenttowardspreventionandearlyintervention.Acrosstheprioritiesthereisafocuson:livingwellatallages,mentalhealth,addressingsocialisolationespeciallyoftheelderly,changingpatternsofhealth-relatedbehaviourparticularlyintheyoung,andlong-termconditionsandtheirimpactonhealth.

4LinktoPlymouth&SouthWestDevonJointLocalPlan-http://democracy.plymouth.gov.uk/documents/s77647/170218%20FINAL%20DRAFT%20JLP%20FOR%20FC%202%2027022017%20Cabinet.pdf5LinktoPlayingpitchstrategy:needsassessment-https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/SouthHamsAndWestDevonPlayingPitchStrategyNeedsAssessment.pdf6LinktoJointHealthandWellbeingStrategy(2016-2019)-http://www.devonhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/strategies/


ThisplansetoutinthefollowingpagestakesawideandinclusiveviewofsportandrecreationintheParish,takingintoaccountnotonlyneedsintermsofprovisionoffacilitiesbutfortheiroutcomesofhealthandwellbeingofallinthecommunity.

3c.Communityconsultationandneedassessment

TheDartingtonparishhasastrongandlongtraditionofcommunityengagementandinvolvement,theresultsofwhichhavebeengoodaccountsoftheexpressedneedsandwishesofresidents.

In1998thevillageconductedanappraisalwhichincludedasurveyofresidentswhichgarneredresponsesfromtwothirdsofhouseholdsandincludedtheviewsofjustunder1000people.7Clearprioritiesemerged:thedesiretopreservegreenspacesinthevillageandtonurturetheenvironment,forexamplebyplantingtreesandpreservingorchards;toprotectthenetworkofbridleways,footpathsandcountrylanes;todevelopmorefacilitiesforyoungpeople;seriousconcernsaboutnewhousingwithfearsfortheadditionofnewestatesandDartingtonbecomingasuburbofTotnes;andawishtoseetheMeadowbrookcentrebedevelopedasasocial,culturalandsportscentre.

In2007theDartingtonCommunityForumGroupwasestablishedandoverthesubsequentfouryearsdevelopedaCommunityPlan.ThisincludedaCommunitySurveyin2010,whichgarneredresponsesfromjustoveronethirdofhouseholdswitholderpeoplebeingover-represented.8Similarissueswereraised,suchasconcerntopreservethenaturalenvironmentandtoprotecttheuniqueidentityofthevillage.ThereportprovidesausefulaccountoftherelationshipbetweenthevillageandDartingtonHall,highlightingthegreatappreciationandaffectionthatpeoplehavefortheplaceandfacilities,suchasthegardens,walksandculturalopportunities.Italsogivesanaccountoftheconcernsofthevillageaboutthesalesoflandfordevelopmentandthelossofthecollege,bothofwhichstrainedtherelationshipbetweenthetwo.Thesurveyalsoaskedaboutrecreation.Residentswerekeentohaveopportunitiesforwildlifewatchingandorganisedwalks,andexpressedaninterestintennis,archeryandoutdoorbowls,aswellasyoga,keepfitandbadminton.Itisimportanttorememberthatthesampleforthissurveywasskewedtowardstheolderagegroup.

Mostrecentlyandinresponsetotheopportunitytodevelopaneighbourhoodplan,residentshavebeenbusyorganisingandconsultingtodevelopthisplan.AnOpenSpacesSportsandRecreationtaskgroupwasestablishinginOctober2014andbetweenthenandnowhasundertakenextensiveactivitytoauditcurrentprovision(ascanbeenseeninthefollowingpages)andtounderstandtheneedsandwishesoftheparish,itsresidentsandlocalorganisations.Theprocesshasbeenverythoroughandtransparentwithmultipleopportunitiesforpeopletocontributetoemergingplans,forexampleatopenmeetings,andviathededicatedDartingtonNeighbourhoodPlanwebsite(www.dartingtonnp.wordpress.com)whichhasbeenregularlyupdated.DuringSpringandearlysummerof2015threeconsultation7https://dartingtonnp.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/1999-village-appraisal001.pdf8https://dartingtonnp.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/draft-dcag-community-plan-final.pdf


eventswereheldwhichintotalengaged275people,themajorityofwhomwereresidents.TheinsightsfromtheseeventswereanalysedanddistilledintoadraftplanwhichwaspubliclysharedinSeptember2016andhasbeensinceavailableonlineforcommentandactivelycirculatedtoallclubsandbodieswithaninterestinsportandrecreation.SeeAppendix3forafulllistoforganisationsinvolvedwithorconsultedaboutthisplan.

Thethemesthathaveemergedechotheinterestsandconcernsofpreviousconsultations:

Residentshugelyvaluethenaturalenvironmentofthevillageandsurroundingareas.Thereisastrongdesiretoprotectgreenspacesandgreeninfrastructure(suchasgreenways,footpathsandcycleways)soastoenablesafelygettingaroundonfootandbybicycle,andtheabilitytoenjoytheoutdoorsbethatasachildplayinginthewoodsorawalkerappreciatingthewildlife.Intrinsicallylinkedtothisistheseriousconcernabouttrafficandriskstopedestriansafety,wellfoundedasaccordingtotheJointStrategicNeedsAssessment,Dartingtonsuffersarateofdeathorseriousinjuryonroadsdoublethatofthenationalaverage.9ThemajorincreaseintrafficthatwillresultfromtheexpansionofTotnesandDartingtonwillonlyworsenthesituationandasaresulttheneedtoprotectandimprovefootpaths,pavements,safeaccessroutesandgreencorridorsparticularlyacrossthemainarteriesthatbisectthevillagewillbecomeallthemoreimportant.

Meadowbrook(thecommunitycentreandsurroundingfacilities)isgenerallyacknowledgedtobeanimportantresourceforthevillage.Itisseentobewelllocated–incloseproximitytoalltheschoolsinthevillage–andagreatasset.Thefacilitiesarehoweverinapoorstateofrepairandnotabletomeettheneedsofthevillageandasaresulttheyareunder-used.Thereisastrongcasethatitcouldandshouldbecomeahubforsportandrecreationinthevillage.

Theneedsofchildrenandyoungpeoplearenotwellmet.Althoughthereareopportunitiesfororganisedsport(football,cricket,hockeyandrugby),thesetendtobetakenupbyboys.Similarly,childrenhavewonderfulopportunitiestoplayandexploreinthenaturalenvironmentbuttheformalplayareas,withtheexceptionofthenewplayareaonDartingtonHallEstate,areunimaginative,notinclusiveandinpoorstateofrepair.

9LinktoJointStrategicNeedsAssessment2016-http://www.devonhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/jsna/profiles/lsoa/south-hams/Pleaseadd:'SubjecttotheformaladoptionofthePlymouthandSWDevonJointLocalPlan(expectedinearly2018)andfurtherdetailedconsultationledbyDHT,thereisthepossibilityofdevelopment....'


4. Currentprovision

ThetablebelowprovidesasummaryoftheOSSRprovisioninthevillagehighlightingshortfallsintermsofquantity,qualityandaccess.

Ascanbeseen,theparishhasaricharrayofnaturalandman-madefacilities,perhapsadisproportionatelylargeamountforacommunityofthissize.SignificantinthisregardaretheresourcesontheDartingtonHallEstateandthemanyinitiativesthatwerefundedbytheestate’swealthybenefactors(DorothyandLeonardElmhirst)fromthe1920throughtothe1980s.Thisisablessingandaburden.Manyofthefacilitiesaresufferingfromthepassageoftimeandalackofinvestmentoverrecentdecades,notablytheMeadowbrookbuildingandgrounds,andmanyofthefacilitiesontheestate(suchastenniscourts,swimmingpoolsandsquashcourts).

Theparishhasanabundanceofgardensandaccessiblenaturalspaces,aswellasopportunitiestogrowfruitandvegetables.Thisiscomplementedbyanarrayofgreenways,footpathsandcycleways.Well-usedandvaluedisthefootpath/cyclewaythatconnectsTotnestoDartingtonandontoHoodsafefromroadtraffic.

Intermsofoutdoorsportsfacilities,theparishiswellservedwithtwofootballpitches,acricketpitch,twotenniscourtsandanoutdoorpool.However,thereareseriousqualityandaccessissueswiththelatter.Thecricketclubhasidentifiedaneedforrenewalofthepracticenetsandallweatherwickets.Thetenniscourtsareunusableandthepoolmayonlylastoneortwomoreseasonswithoutmajorinvestment.Therearenousableoutdoornetcourtsorall-weatherfacilitiesfortennis,netball,five-a-sideorsimilaractivities.

Intermsofindoorsportsfacilities,thevillagehasnoshortageofspacesforgroupactivities,althoughsomehavepooraccessforpeoplewithdisabilities.TheMeadowbrookCommunityCentrehassportandleisurefacilities(pool,snookerandskittles)butasmentionedalready,thebuildingisindireneedofmajorrenewal.ThesquashcourtsatDartingtonHallEstatearealsoinneedofrepair.TheleisurecentreinTotnescatersforawiderangeofinterestsandiseasilyaccessedbyresidents.

Thevillageispoorlyservedforgoodquality,inclusiveplayareas.Thethreesitesinthevillagefailtocaterforveryyoungchildren,olderchildrenandthosewithdisabilities.TheMeadowbrookplayareaisconsistentlyidentifiedinconsultationsastheplacethatismostusedandmostnominatedforimprovement.


Typeofopenspaceandpolicystandard

Existingprovisionwithinparish Quantityshortfalls Qualityshortfalls Accesscomments

Parksandgardens

DartingtonHallGardens(26acres) None None–thegardensareanamazingassettothecommunity.

TheDartingtonHallGardenscanbeaccessedbywheelchairusers.

Accessiblenaturalspaces

HuntersMoongreens–excellentnaturalplayspaceforlocalchildrenandvisitorstoTheCottpub.Comprisingopenflowermeadow,maturetreesandcentralgrassarea.Theareaissuitableforballandothergamesaswellasdenbuildingandtreeclimbing.

None Althoughsurroundedbyhouses,thereisnoplayequipment.

ValleybetweenBrambleCloseandBrimhay–theintersectionofpathsfromCott,BrimhayandNewmanCrescentcomprisingslopinggrassyarea,maturetreesandaccesstoBidwellBrook.Excellentnaturalplayareawithsafewaterplayawayfrommainroads.

None None Accessiblewithoutneedtocrossmainroads.

DorothyElmhirstnaturetrail(0.5acre)–asmallwoodedareatothewestofthefootballpitchboundariedbythestreamandfootpath.Suitablefordenbuilding,treeclimbingandgeneralplay

None None

HuxhamsCrossGreens(0.6acre)-Alargeflatgrassyareasuitableforballgamesandotherplay,locatedintheheartofHuxhamsCross.


DartingtonHallestateincludingNorthWoods(112acres),AllerParkField/Woods(6acres),DeerParkWalk–anextensivenetworkoffootpathsthroughwoods,openfieldsandalongtherive.

None None

BroomParkGreen(0.5acre)AlargegrassyareasuitableforballgamesandotherplaylocatedintheheartofBroomPark.


Greenwaysandcyclepaths*

Totnes–Dartington–Hoodcyclepath(NationalCycleRoute207and2)

None None Thecyclepathiswell-usedbywalkers,joggersandcyclists.Itisflatinparts,andthesurfaceissuitableforwheelchairusersandprams/pushchairs.

CoplandLane None None Thisgreenwayisonlysuitablefor


vehiclesandwalkers.Theterrainisunsuitableforwheelchairusers

Around20milesofquietcountrylines None none Manyofthelanesarelittleusedbycarsandsuitableforwalkersandcyclists.

Manyfootpathsinandaroundthevillage Theparishisfortunatetohaveanextensivenetworkoffootpathsandgreencorridors.

None

Outdoorsportsfacilities*

DorothyElmhirstfullsizefootballpitchwithchangingfacilities.Thereisspaceforajuniorpitchbutthisisnotmarkedout.

None Thepitchsuffersfromdrainageproblems.ThecauseoftheproblemisunclearbutitbecamenoticeableafterthedevelopmentofSawmillFields.Investigationintothecauseisunderway.

ThelandisownedbyDartingtonHalltrustbutpassedtotheDartingtonRecreationAssociationona99-yearleasetomanage.

Foxholecricketground(1cricketsquarewithseveralallweatherwicketsand2allweatherpracticenets)

None Cricketgroundallweatherwicketandpracticenetsinurgentneedofrenewal.Botharenowinanextremestateofdisrepair.Theall-weatherwicketisunusableduetodamagetothesurface.Thepracticenetsareinadirestateofrepairwithdamagetothesurface,cagestructureandthenetting.Theyaredangerousandnolongerfitforpurpose.Theseissueswereacknowledgedinthecountypitchesassessmentconductedin2014andthesituationhasworsenedsincethen.

none

Foxholefullsizefootballpitchwithchangingroomsandclubhouse(sharedwithcricketground)

Meadowbrookoutdoorcommunityswimmingpool Itisunheatedandopenforashortseason:June-August.

Poolinneedofmajorstructuralrepair–includingnewlinerandchangestoequipmenttocomplywithhealthandsafetystandards.Untilasurveyisconductedthe

Nodisabledaccesstopool.Thepoolhaschangingroomsandfacilitiestoselldrinksandsnacks,aswellasadisabledaccesstoilet.


extentoftherequiredrepairsisunknown.Itispossiblethatanewframe(thestructurebetweenthelinerandthesurroundingearth)isalsoneeded.

Meadowbrooktenniscourtx2 None Courtsareunusable.Fencingandsurfaceinneedofmajorrepairs.

Poordisabledaccess

DartingtonHalloutdoorpool None Inneedofrefurbishment AccesslimitedtoDHTstaff,residentsandhotelguests.

AllerParkoutdoorpool NA Outofuse DartingtonPrimaryschoolmultiusegamesarea None Pronetoflooding. ThepositionoftheMUGAandlackof

changingfacilitiesreducesitsappealasacommunityfacility.

3xtenniscourtsonDartingtonHallEstate NA Outofuse **KEVICCsfootballpitchandastroturf Recentlysignificantlyupgraded. Althoughnotintheparish,thefacilities

arewithintwomilesofthevillage.Indoorsportsfacilities

Meadowbrookcommunitycentre–skittlealley,snookerandpooltable,andlargeroomssuitableforyoga,judoetc

None Inneedofmajorrefurbishmentandrepair.

Availableforhire–clubmembershipisrequiredforusage.

2xsquashcourtsatHigherClosewithchangingroomsandgallery.

None

Courtsinneedofrepair–waterleaksontocourtwhenitrains.

Nodisabledaccess

DartingtonVillageHall–largespacesuitableforgroupexercise

None None Wheelchairaccessible.

DartingtonSpace(suitablefortheatreanddance) None None Bidwellhydrotherapypool None None Gooddisabledaccess.Primarilyfor

schoolusebutcanbehired. Dartingtonchurchhall–suitableforgroup

exercise/activities.None None Wheelchairaccessible.

Foxholegymnasium Outofuse NA DartingtonHallfacilities-Hex,Gym,Studioand

tworoomsinmainbuildingatAllerParkNone None Varietyofspacesavailableforhireby

communitygroups **TotnesLeisureCentre–includesindoorpool,

gym,sportshallandotherstudiospaces**None Recentlytakenoverbyanational

charitywiththepromiseofmajorinvestment.

Althoughnotintheparish,thecentreistwomilesfromthevillageandeasilyaccessedbycar,bicycleandonfoot.

Openaccessplayfacilities

Meadowbrookplayarea–comprisinggrassedbanks,smallmetalclimbingframe,slide,fourswings,largeconcretesplashpool.

Littleequipmentforveryyoungchildren,olderchildrenor

Datedandsomebrokenequipment.Noequipmentforolderchildren.

Goodlocation.Closetovillageamenities.Goodparking.Poordisabledaccess.Noinclusiveequipment.Poorly


childrenwithdisabilities.

Dangerous,outofservicesplashpool.Verylowplayvalue.

signed.Noseatingortoilets.PedestrianaccessonthesouthsideisunsafeasthereisnozebracrossingfortheA385.

GidleysMeadowplayspacecomprisingmetalandwoodclimbingframeonsofttarmac.Theareaisfencedwithgateforaccess.

Noequipmentforveryyoungchildren.

Datedequipment.Areaisveryshadedandpronetobeslippery.

Poordisabledaccess.Noinclusiveequipment.

TheshopsatDartingtonplayspacecomprisingplayboatwithplasticside,climbingwallandclimbingropewithinwoodchipgatedarea.Tworockersongrassyareaadjacenttothreepicnicbenches.

None None Poordisabledaccess.Noinclusiveequipment.

AdventureplayareaatLowerDrive,DartingtonHall.

None Recentlyinstalled,imaginativeplayequipmentsuitableforallages.

Poordisabledaccess.Noinclusiveequipment.

Otherrecreationalfacilities

Dynamicadventures–archery,highropes,rockclimbingatFoxholeandkayakingonRiverDart

None None

RiverDart None None Cemeteries GraveyardatStMary’s None None Allotmentsandgrowing

Sawpitlane,FoxholeCommunityGarden,ParkSchool,BidwellBrookSchool,Schumachercollege,Landworks,ApricotCentre,WeekCommunityOrchard,SteinerSchool,BreakthroughFoxhole,HuntersMoon,BroomParkandHuxhamsCross.PlusMiniholdingsatHuntersMoon

None Thereisanabundanceofopportunitiestogrowproduceacrosstheparish.

Detailedauditsofthesefacilitiescanbefoundathttps://dartingtonnp.wordpress.com/useful-information-2/inthesectionheadedaudit.*MoreinformationaboutfootpathsandcyclewayscanbefoundintheNeighbourhoodPlanasaresultofworkbyadedicatedtaskgroup.


5. Identifyexistingorganisedactivities/teams

Theparishbenefitsfromanumberofwell-organised,friendlysportsclubsaswellasawidearrayofopportunitiesforleisureandrecreationactivities.ItisimportanttonotethecrossoverbetweenTotnesandDartingtonwhenitcomestosportprovision.Forexample,thetwofootballpitchesareplayedonbypeoplewholiveinDartington,Totnesandthesurroundingareas.Likewise,thosewhoplayhockeyandliveinDartingtonbenefitfromthefacilitiesinTotnes.

Thereisarangeofclassesandclubsoperatingthroughouttheparishmeetingtheneedsofmenandwomenandallages.

Activity Venue Agerange NotesSPORT DartingtonandTotnesCricketClub(registeredwiththeEnglishCricketBoard(ECB))TherearethreeseniorteamsplayingonSaturdaysintheDevonCricketLeague.Inaddition,therearemidweekteamplayingfriendlymatches.Thesecondandthirdteamsareusedtogiveyoungerplayers(13plus)theopportunitytoplayadultcricketanddeveloptheirtalents.SeniorspracticeonTuesdayevenings.

TheClubrunsasuccessfulAllStarsCricketProgrammefor5to8yearoldsonSundaymornings.Thisisopentobothgirlsandboysandthereare6girlsand23boyssigneduptothis.

FoxholeCricketGround

Seniorplayersaremalebutfemalesarenotexcluded.

JuniorAllStarsinvolvesbothgirlsandboys.

TheclubislookingtoexpandthejuniorsectionandispartoftheECBAllstarsCricketinitiativetopromotecricketinprimaryschools.Theclubiskeentoseethepracticefacilitiesrepairedandupgradedandestimatethatimprovementswillcost£40,000.Theyhaveraised£10,000towardsthistotal.Theyseektokeepcostsdownbysecuringsponsorshipbutincurhighexpenditure(rent,insurance,machineryetc).ThehealthandsustainabilityoftheClubrequiresittobeabletoattractjuniormembersandhelpthemdevelopintoadultplayers.Overthelast3yearsjuniormembershiphasbeendeclining,concurrentwiththedeclineinthepracticefacilities.InordertoaddressthismattertheClubbelievesitisvitaltoreplacetheworn-outfacilities.Whentheall-weatherplayingsurfacewasserviceableitwaslargelyusedbyjuniorteams.AstheAllStarsgroupgetoldertheywillneedtousethepracticenetsandall-weatherpitch.

TotnesandDartingtonFootballClub-Theclubhastenjunior,onedisabilityandtwoseniorteams.Teamstrainfor40weeksoftheyearandallplayinleagueswith25-40gamesperseason.Thereare200juniormembers.

ShareduseofjuniorpitchatKEVICC.Shareduseofnew

Juniorandseniorplayers(mainlymale)

TheClubhasthestatusofFootballAssociationrecognisedCommunityStandardCharteredClub–recognisingasignificantcontributiontosport,healthandwellbeing.


Theclubhasaninclusiveethoswhichensuresthateveryoneplaysregardlessofabilityorfinance.Itislookingtoexpandthejuniormembershipfurtherandtodevelopopportunitiesforwomenandgirls.

astro-turfatKEVICC.ShareduseofMeadowbrookpitch.FoxholeFootballGround

TheclubhasaleasewithDartingtonHallTrustforthefacilitiesatFoxhole.Thereisapossibilityofthelandtherebeingdeveloped,subjecttotheformaladoptionofthePlymouthandSWDevonJointLocalPlan(expectedinearly2018)andfurtherdetailedconsultationledbyDHT,butanundertakinghasbeenmadethatlandwouldbesetasidenearMeadowbrookforfacilitiesofequalsizeandstandard.Astheclubexpands,itforeseesneedformorepitchesandplacesfortraining.

DartingtontennisClub–thereisadormantclubbutsincethefacilitiesfellintodeclineithasnotbeenpossibleformemberstoplayinthevillage.

DartingtonSwimmingClubisrunbyateamofaround12volunteers.ThepoolisopendailyintheafternoonfromlateMaytoearlySeptweatherpermitting.Itisalsousedbythelocalschools,particularlyDartingtonPrimaryduringthesummerterm.

Meadowbrookpool All Thepoolisopentoeveryoneonapayasyougobasis.Regularuserscanbuyaseasonticket.Communityorganisationsalsohirethepoolforevents.TheClubisconsideringearlymorningopeningandiskeentoextendaccessbylengtheningthehoursandseason.Thiswouldrequiretheadditionaofheating.Optionsincludingsolar&groundsourceareisbeinginvestigated.Basicimprovementsareestimatedtocost£20,000butthemajorworksneededtoproperlyimprovethefacilitiesareestimatedtobearound£150,000.

MeadowbrookAthleticFC(“Brook”)isaDevonFAconstitutedadultsingle-teamclubinThirddivisionofSouthDevonFootballLeague.Thereareover30registeredplayersrangingfrom18–52withmostbeingintheirmidtwentiestolatethirties.

TheClubrentthepitchontheDorothyElmhirstFieldfromtheDartingtonRecreation

Adult(male) TheClubpositivelyencouragesthe“Respect”agendaandhasrecentlywontheDevonFA’sprestigiousCounty“FairPlay”Award.


TheClubisfinanciallyself-sustainingwithitsincomefromplayersubscriptions,donations,sponsorshipandfundraisingactivities.Overtheyearsithasbuiltupanexcellentreputationasafriendly,inclusiveandpopularclub.

Associationandplaytheirhomegamesthere.TheyalsotraineveryweekonitduringfromApriltoOctober.DuringthewintermonthsthesquadusetheKEVICCAllWeatherPitch

TotnesSkittleClub–theclubhasaround400memberswhoplayinthe4leagues–2mensand2womens.MemberscomefromacrosstheSouthHams.

MeadowbrookCommunityCentre

Adults–menandwomen

TheClubplayseverynightoftheweekatMeadowbrookfromSepttoApril.TheMeadowbrookalleyisoneoftwointheareawiththeotherbeingattheRugbyClubinTotnes.

TotnesSubAquaClub(weekly) MeadowbrookCommunityCentre

All

CLUBS,CLASSES&OTHERACTIVITIES Artgroupforolderladies(weekly)

DartingtonChurchHall Olderwomen

Africandrumming(weekly)

DartingtonChurchHall All

TimeforMe–agroupforyoungmums(weekly) DartingtonChurchHall YoungWomen ForestGardeners(monthly) DartingtonChurchHall All WritingGroup(monthly) DartingtonChurchHall All

Dance&BalletClasses(weekly) MeadowbrookCommunityCentre

KiAkido(2xperweek) MeadowbrookCommunityCentre

MartialArtsClass(weekly) DartingtonVillageHall

Creativewritingmeetslifecoaching DartingtonVillageHall Mothers

Singinglunch DartingtonVillageHall All

Feldenkrais:awarenessthoughmovement DartingtonVillageHall All


Yoga(2xperweek) DartingtonVillageHall All

Zumba(weekly) DartingtonVillageHall All

Folkdancing DartingtonVillageHall All

YouthClub(weekly) DartingtonVillageHall Youngpeople

Artgroupx2(weekly) DartingtonVillageHall All

6. Proposedimprovementsanddevelopments

Theprevioussectionshavehighlightedthenatureandqualityofexistingprovisionexposingwhereinvestmentisneededtomaintainorimproveit.Themajorexpansionofthevillagesuggeststhatneedwillincreaseparticularlyforchildrenandfamilies.

Theprioritiesforopenspaces,sportandrecreationfortheparishare:

I. Topreserve,protectandnurturethemanypaths,openspacesandwoodlandacrosstheparish.II. TorecognisetheMeadowbrookareaasafuturehubforplay,sportandrecreationinthevillage.III. Tosupportandenabletheexistingclubsforsportandrecreationtogrowandflourish.

Recommendationsfortheshortandmediumtermare:

a) Todevelopadventurous,inclusiveandimaginativeplayfacilitiesforallatMeadowbrook.b) TodeveloptheMeadowbrookCommunityCentreandsurroundingareatobecomeahubforsportandrecreation.c) ToimprovefacilitiesattheFoxholecricketclub.


6a.DevelopmentofplayfacilitiesatMeadowbrook

Itisclearthatexistingplayprovisioninthevillageispoorandthatthenumberofchildrenandfamiliesintheparishissettoincrease.TheaspirationtocreateahubforsportandrecreationatMeadowbrookmakestheplayareaatMeadowbrookanidealfirstcandidateforimprovement,notonlytooffergoodquality,inclusiveplayopportunitiesbutalsotomakeiteasyfornewresidentstothevillagetomeetotherfamilies.Itisideallylocatedatthebottomofthevillagenearotheramenities,suchastheCiderPress(alsoknownasTheShopsatDartington),postofficeandgarage.Theaspirationistodevelopaplayarea(notaconventionalplayground)suitableforallagesandallabilitiesthatmakesuseoftheexistinglandscape(thestreams,woodland,openareaandgrassybanks)thatstimulatesadventurousandimaginativeplay.Tomakeitappealingtofamiliestherewouldbeseatingand,ideally,accesstorefreshmentsandtoilets.Thisprojectwouldalsoincluderemovalorre-imaginingofthesplashpool.Tocaterfortheneedsofolderchildren,thereisaninterestindevelopinganarea,probablysomesortofcircuitmadeofearthandnaturalfeatures,foradventurousbikeriding.

Itisevidentfromallconsultationnotjustinrecentyearsbutgoingbacktwodecadesthatdevelopmentofplayfacilitiesisperceivedasanecessity.Notonlywoulditbenefitresidents,therearethreeschoolsincloseproximitytothesite:DartingtonPrimarySchool(300students);BidwellBrookSpecialSchool(80studentswithdisabilities)andSWDevonAcademy(76studentsunabletoparticipateinmainstreameducation).Theschoolshaveexpressedtheirwholeheartedsupportfortheproposalandinitialplanshavebeendevelopedwiththestudentsineachfacility.

ThelandfortheplayareaismanagedbytheDartingtonRecreationAssociation(DRA),whichleasesthelandfromDartingtonHallTrust.TheDRAhasprioritisedthisprojectandhasthefullsupportofthelandowner.Therearethreepotentialobstacles.First,theareaneedspublictoiletsandcoveredseatingifitistobecomeaccessibletofamilies.Secondly,considerablefundsarerequiredtorealisethevisionforimaginative,inclusiveplaywithappropriatefacilities.Detailedcostinghasyettobecompletedbutaninvestmentofaround£300,000isenvisaged(excludingcostsfortoilets).Consultationandplandevelopmentisplannedforthesummerandautumnof2017withfundraisingoverthewinterandanaimtocommissioninstallationinthesummerof2018.Andthirdly,itisconsideredthatindevelopingthefacilitiesandaddressingtheneedsoftheparish,safeaccesstothefacilitiesmustbeprovidedviaacrossingtolinkthesite(andschools)withthemajorityofresidentsacrossthebusyA385.


6b.DevelopmentofsportsandrecreationfacilitiesatMeadowbrook

ThereisconsiderableenthusiasmonthepartoflocalclubsandresidentstodeveloptheMeadowbrookCommunityCentreandfacilitiestobecomeahubforsportandrecreationinthevillage.ThiswouldbuildontheenergyandenthusiasmofthosealreadyusingthefacilitiesincludingMeadowbrookAthleticFootballClub,TotnesSkittleleague,TotnesSub-aquaclub,DartingtonSwimmingClub,andthosethatwouldliketo-TotnesandDartingtonFootballClub,TotnesTennisClubandthedormantDartingtontennisclub.

Theimmediateandobviousprioritiesaretore-developthetenniscourtsandtheswimmingpool.Theformerlendsitselftobecomingamulti-usegamesareaprovidingopportunityfortennis,basketball,footballandnetball.Tobeofmaximumusetoclubsandlocalschools,itwouldbeafenced,coveredandfloodlitfacilitytherebyopeningupaccessinpoorweatherandintheevenings.Thereisextensivesupportforthisproposalfromexistingclubsandschools,howeverattentionwouldneedtobepaidtoarrangementsforchangingfacilitiesandtoilets.Furthermore,workisrequiredtoaddressthemanagement,maintenanceandsustainabilityofsuchfacilities.

Thepoolisawell-lovedandwell-usedfacilitybutopenonlyfrommid-Junetomid-Septemberbyvirtueofbeingunheated.Tomaintainthefacilityasitiswillrequireaninvestmentofatleast£20,000andtomakemajorimprovements,suchasheating,newliningandframe,anddisabledaccess,inexcessof£150,000.

Aswiththeplayarea,theMeadowbrooklandismanagedbytheDRAundera99-yearleasefromthelandowners,DartingtonhallTrust.Workisinhandtodevelopbothoftheaboveproposals.

AnyfutureplansforthewiderMeadowbrookareawillbetakenforwardinlinewiththeNeighbourhoodPlaninvolvingallstakeholdersandlinkingwiththeDartingtonHallTrust’sstrategiclanduseplansasoutlinedinthecurrentdraftoftheJointLocalPlan.10

6c.ImprovementtoFoxholeCricketpitch

Theplayingpitchneedassessment(seeSection3babove)andtheDartington&TotnesCricketClubhaveidentifiedaneedtoimprovetheall-weatherpitchandthepracticenets.Itisestimatedthattheseimprovementswouldcostintheregionof£40,000.Theclubisactivelyfundraisingtowardsthistotalhavingsofarsecured£10,000.Untilrecentlytheclubdidnothavealong-termleaseonthesitewhichgreatlyhinderedtheirabilitytoraisefunds.Thishasnowbeenaddressedandfund-raisingeffortsarecontinuing.Theworkwillstartoncefundshavebeensecured.

July2017

10LinktoPlymouth&SouthWestDevonJointLocalPlan-http://democracy.plymouth.gov.uk/documents/s77647/170218%20FINAL%20DRAFT%20JLP%20FOR%20FC%202%2027022017%20Cabinet.pdfandDHTspage https://www.dartington.org/response-plymouth-south-west-devon-joint-local-plan/


Appendix1


FindingsfromthePlayingpitchneedassessment

Thefollowingtableshavebeentakenfromthereport.Therearetwopointstohighlight.FirsttheneedassessmentidentifiedthepoorqualityoftheartificialwicketattheFoxholeground.Thisissomethingthathasbeenraisedasapriorityfortheclub.Second,thereportstatesthatthereisawishtoextendplayatFoxholebytheinstallationoffloodlighting.Havingconsultedwithallrelevantparties–thelandowner,cricketclubandfootballclub–thisisfactuallyincorrect.Thereisnodesiretoinstallfloodlightingattheground.

Football

Appendix2


Cricket


Organisationsinvolvedwithorconsultedaboutthisplan

• DartingtonNeighbourhoodPlantaskgroupforOpenSpace,SportandPlay.• DartingtonParishCouncil• DartingtonRecreationAssociation• DartingtonPrimarySchool

• DartingtonHallTrust• BidwellBrookSchool• ParkSchool• SouthDevonSteinerSchool• TheSouth&WestDevonAcademy

• LifeworksAcademyandRobinsRespitecarecentre

• MeadowbrookCommunityCentre

• MeadowbrookAthleticAFC

• TotnesandDartingtonSCFC• TotnesandDartingtonCricketClub• DartingtonSquashClub• DartingtonSwimmingClub

• ThePrioryArcheryGroup• TotnesSubAquaClub

• SouthHamsDistrictCouncil

• DevonCountyCouncil

• KingEdwardVICommunityCollege

• DartingtonVillageHall

• DartingtonChurchHall

Consultation

Consultationeventshavebeenheldthroughout2015and2016:

Appendix4

Appendix3


Date Event ParticipantNumbers*

KeyFindings**

28/2/2015 “DestinationDartingtonNeighbourhoodPlanLaunch”&CommunityConsultation

171adultsandchildren

SummaryReportprepared:file:///C:/Users/User/Documents/Dartington%20Neighbourhood%20Plan%20-%20Recreation/dartington-consultation-report-earth-wrights.pdfResidentsspokeoftheirfavouritememoriesofgrowingupinDartington,mapsofthevillagedisplayedforresidentstomarkareasofinterestforOSSR;childrenaskedtodesign'dreamplayareas'.Seefullreport.

25/3/2015 DartingtonPrimarySchoolOSSPConsultation

30adults&children

AnecdotalDiscussionsabouttheareascommunityused(Meadowbrook)andwishesforimprovements(adventureplay,improvementstoswimmingpool)

30/4/2015 Surveyssentto3SchoolsintheParish

105adults&children

Meadowbrookareaisboththemostusedandmostnominatedasneedingimprovement.

27/6/2015 ParishOpenDay 92adults DisplaysofMapsofthevillage.ResidentsmarkedareasofkeyinterestforOSSR.

28/9/2015 PlayEnglandPlaygroundAssessmentToolUtilisedforMeadowbrookArea

4fullassessmentscompleted

Theresultsforthearea'soverall'PlayValue'was35%,withtheoverallviewthattheequipmentisoutdatedandlacksstimulation.

25/9/2016 ConsultationfocusingontheOpenSpaceSportandRecreationStrategy

53attendees Focusongreeninfrastructure–footpath/cyclerouteslinkingMeadowbrookwiththerestofthevillageandtothecycleroute.TheexistingOSSRprioritieswereuncontested.