Villagers set out vision for future (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Villagers set out vision for future

VILLAGERS in Ilmington have set out their vision for the future of their village.

Four out of five households responded to a survey last February and the views expressed, along with the results of numerous meetings, group workshops and individual comments and suggestions collected over two years, form the basis of the new 24-page village plan - Our Village Our Future - published this week.

Parish plan steering committee chairman Sheila Ribbans said that work on the plan had underlined the strength of community spirit in the village, which has a population of 563.

"The amount of support we've had and the feedback demonstrated the community spirit," said Mrs Ribbans, a former chairman of Stratford District Council, who has lived in Ilmington for eight years.

In common with many north Cotswold villages, the majority of those who returned the survey said that they supported more affordable housing for local young people.

There was also support for more job opportunities in the parish, with craft workshops and small rural businesses preferred to a business park.

Low satisfaction with the level of community policing was expressed by most villagers and the service provided by Shipston's part-time fire crew was rated as good by 89 households.

Villagers said they would like to see fewer overhead power cables and phone lines and, although 38 per cent of households supported the installation of "sympathetic" street lighting, the majority oppose street lighting.

The parish council has approved a 12-page action plan, that will be sent to district and county councils, the police, health authority, Cotswold Conservation Board and other bodies for their response.

As a result of the plan, a village design statement has also been produced, which, once formally adopted by the district council, will be a factor in future planning applications.