Being the first opportunity, as Chairman of the Cubert NDP Steering Group, to publish an update on the work of the group; I feel it is incumbent upon me to thank Gareth Rowe for the work he has done to date in managing to get the group up and running despite all the inhibiting consequences of Covid 19. 

As anticipated in last month’s report, analysis of the initial questionnaire is complete and a brief synopsis is included below. A comprehensive record of the results is available on the Cubert NDP website via the address shown below. 

This survey was only the first step towards the compilation of the final Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

At the moment, a local Landscape Survey and Character Assessment is underway involving an edge of settlement and green spaces assessment, mapping key features with a view to providing options to be included in the final report. The landscape survey group are looking for historic photographs of the Parish to help us write our report. If anyone has any old photographs of Cubert and the surrounding area we would be interested to see them – be assured that they won’t be damaged or marked in any way. If you can help please let us know. 

Another subgroup in compiling a list of “stakeholders” This will include landowners, both local and national, local businesses and organisations whose actions over the next five to fifteen years could impact on the Parish. The ambition is to engage with them to assess how the plans of this group relate to the vision of the residents. 

I hope that you are able to visualise the work that is going on behind the scenes. If you want to put forward your ideas, please use one of the contact options shown at the end of this article or email me directly at chair.cubertndp@btinternet.com

Survey Results

We are pleased to confirm that we have now had the opportunity of analysing the results of the data collected by the Initial Survey of public opinion conducted during January 2020. The survey questionnaire was distributed to all homes in the Parish and 180 completed surveys were returned. This represents an approximate response rate of about 11%, a relatively small number of households. 

For each section of the Survey Form we have attempted to record all the issues or topics submitted by respondents and then note the number of respondents who supported each topic. We have called these the “votes” for each topic. We have extracted the priority topics and listed them as a summary of the primary concerns of the residents of our Parish as follows: 

  • Priorities for new housing 
  • Future business development in the parish 
  • Provision of sports and leisure facilities 
  • Traffic control and car parking. 
  • Protecting our heritage assets and green spaces 
  • Safe guarding our school facilities and potential expansion needs. 

These concerns will be the focus of Working Groups which we shall set up to research these subjects, carry out consultation with individuals, stakeholders and organisations to acquire more information leading to another more detailed survey. This will help us to begin to put together the kind of planning policies which are the aim of a Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

We must thank everyone who has taken part in our Survey. We hope that our analysis truly represents your thoughts but please continue to join in and help us make Cubert Parish the place you would like it to be.

You can view the survey results in full by visiting the survey page on our website