TUXFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING GROUP

Minutes of meeting held 27/01/2015

Present:
Apologies:

Sue Robinson (Chair), Dave Mountford, Shirley Peat, Keith Isard, Graham
Nichols, Natalie Cockrell, Eric Taylor and Lisa Hill.
None

Sue Robinson reported that Ann Abbey had had to retire from the group.
Sue reviewed the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 December 2014 and the minutes
were approved.
Sue reviewed the workshop held with Clive Keble, Planning Consultant last month.
Minutes of this workshop have been circulated previously.
Sue reviewed the data collected via questionnaires and consultation events. Summary of
points made are below:
Housing Preferences 2 bedroom bungalows were the top preference, followed by 2 bed
semi-detached properties, then flats and detached properties, with terraced properties
preferred least.
There were a considerable number of 4 bedroom properties housing older people/couples
who would like to downsize to smaller properties but this choice was not currently available
in Tuxford. Affordable 2 bedroom semis were also not readily available.
It was suggested that current bungalow locations were marked on a map. Keith agreed to
do this.
Parking there was approximately 50/50 split between those people who believed
parking was a problem outside their properties. It was suggested that properties where this
was a problem should be plotted on a map. Information to be given to BDCs GIS
department for mapping.
Pathways in the new development this was widely supported.
Dislikes
Lack of activities
Poor open spaces
Lack of community spirit
Lack of jobs
Lack of disabled parking
Lack of communication
Lack of housing choice
Poor health service
Poor pedestrian routes
Too much heritage
Lack of parking

Likes

Sport and leisure

Choice of housing
Low crime
Job prospects
Heritage
Good pedestrian access
Good schools
Open space
Access to countryside
Access to town
Access to local shops
Good health service
Sense of community

Lisa reiterated the need for as much data as possible to be ready for the meeting with
Helen Metcalfe on Thursday 29 January 2015.
Keith & Shirley began work on analyzing the business questionnaires.
Graham and Dave drafted an advert for the Tuxfordian.
Natalie provided a draft letter to landowners advising them of the NHP, for approval. This
was approved by the group.
The group reviewed the vision which was slightly amended. Vision now reads:
In 20 years time Tuxford will be a vibrant, cohesive community. There will be things to do
and places to go for young and old alike. It will value its proximity to the open countryside
and people will be able to walk and cycle safely to school, the shops and for their leisure
and recreation in, around and out of the town. New development will have been sensitively
designed to integrate well with the older parts of the town and the benefits from this growth
of the town can be seen in the improved community facilities.
The group acknowledged that the proposed development of houses at the Lodge Lane/
Ashvale Road site was particularly important in helping to join the two halves of Tuxford
together. There was potential for inclusion of a footbridge over Ashvale Road to assist the
new residents to access the village hall, schools, shops and play areas. It was also felt that
appropriate play areas should be included within the new development. The potential to
address the top housing preference, ie bungalows at this site was also discussed. Perhaps
to include a retirement complex?
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 February 2015 at The Old Grammar School
at 6pm.