Oldfield Outlook - Action Plan and Vision - Update

Introduction

At the end of 2002, surveys were carried out to find out what people liked about the Oldfield Park area and what could be improved. Questionnaires were mailed to 3,000 residents, delivered to 60 businesses and 75 on-street face to face interviews were carried out with people visiting the area. Over 1,000 responses to the questionnaires were recieved.

In 2003 a public exhibition was held in the entrance hall of the Co-operative Scala in Oldfield Park presenting the findings of this survey and giving people the opportunity to comment on the proposed actions and five year vision. Over 650 people visited the Exhibition over three days, overall proposals were weclomed and feedback positive.

Since that exhibition, Oldfield Outlook continues to consult with the public, and has publicised the action plan and vision, lobbying the support. Oldfield Outlook has receieved support from the Council Executive and Local Strategic Partnership and continues to win the backing of wider stakeholders.

Oldfield Outlook is apartnership project between Bath and North East Somerset Council, Moorland Road Traders Association, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and representatives of local residents.

Within the Council many people and services are involved in this project co-ordinated by the Local Partnerships section of the Council. They include the local Councillors, Parking, Traffic Management, Community Safety, Youth and Community and Planning.

The Vision

As the century progresses and lifestle changes require different levels of services, the Oldfield Park area is well equipped to provide a stable and attractive environment for both residents to enjoy and businesses to flourish.

The most important characteristics of the Oldfield Park - its strong community spirit, excellent shopping and friendly place to live and visit - will be encouraged. Challenges that need to be faced include the increaing level of traffic and its associated congestion and mangement. Together with the recent changes to the profile of the resident population, these issues will be addressed in co-operation and liaison with the various representative bodies.

A sharper focus on the retail mix will enable Moorland Road to continue to provide the pleasant experience of finding everything a shopper needs in one place.

Crime and safety issues, both for the residential and business population, will be at the forefront of making the Oldfield Park area an even safer place.

Activities for younger members of society need to be developed with a view to establishing better relationships and generating a spirit of community and civic pride within that age group.

The Oldfield Park area has some challenges but many opportunities for change that will benefit the whole community. It will continue to be a place with its own very distinctive identity; a place in which people will positively choose to live, work and visit.

The Action Plan

The Action Plan summarises the main featurers and proposals from the surveys and helps to focus the way forward over a short, medium and long term period.

Six key themes emerged from the surveys:

• Community;


• Housing;


• Shops and Services;


• Transport and Parking;


• Crime and Safety;


• Enviroment.

The results of the consultation and propsed actions have been set out under these themes.

Community

• The Oldfield Park area is recognised for its community spirit and village feeling, 31% of residents said that this was one of the best things about the area;


• The questionnaire shows that the majority of residents (62%) have lived in the area for 10 or more years;


• There is a diverse population (retired people, students, professionals and families);


• Many people commented on the lack of activities and facilities for younger people;


• Oldfield Park is viewed as a friendly place in which to live, work and visit;


• There are several churches in the area, their contribution to the local community is valued.

Housing

• An increasing number of houses are multiple occupancy;


• Many houses are occupied by students who attend the University of Bath and Bath Spa University;


• Increased traffic congestion, parking problems and untidy gardens are attributed in part to the changing profile of the resident population.

Shops and Services

• Moorland Road area is seen as the heart of the Oldfield Park area;


• 28% of residents use the area everyday and 45% use it 2-4 times a week;


• Moorland Road Traders Association is recognised by businesses and residents alike for its work on promoting the area and arranging special events (e.g. Flower Day, Christmas Lights);


• There is concern over the number of charity shops and estate agents;


• 93% of residents use the lcoal Post Office;


• The area is well served by schools and healthcare facilities;


• 72% of resident respondents mentioned the shops as one of the best things about the area;


• There are over 60 shops providing a diverse range of products and services. The majority of shops are small independent businesses, however the area has attacted national chains such as Woolworths, Co-operative Scala and Greggs;


• People would like to see a cafe / restaurant, delicatessen and a clothes shop.

Transport and Parking

• The area is seen as easily accessible and convenient;


• 35% of residents made positve comments auch as 'good' and 'fine' about the traffic layout in the are, however issues regarding illegal and hazzardous parking and crossing roads were raised;


• 75%of residents walk and 15% drive to the Moorland Road area. Over 50% ofvistors use their car to get to Moorland Road;


• Parking was seen as the worst thing about the Oldfield Park area, it was mentioned by 27% of residents;


• 60% of visitors to the area stated that it was difficult or very difficult to park their vehicle;


• 60% of those using the bus to get to the area viewed the service as poor or very poor;


• 50% of businessed find deliveries difficult to achieve near their premises;


• A large number of residents said that they would like to see more crossing facilities.

Residents Parking
Althought a review of residents' parking is not currently part of the action plan we welcome comments on the possibility of introducing a controlled parking zone in parts of the Oldfield Outlook area.

Crime and Safety

• Residents viewed crime as one of the worst things about the area (17% mentioned it);


• The main fears are vehicle crime, nusiance / disorder and domestic burglary;


• The majority (90%) of residents feel safe during the day;


• Fear of crime amongst visitors to the area is low;


• Fear of crime after dark is a problem, this is thought to be connected to young people congregating;


• Fear of crime after dark is highest amongst the 56+ age groups;


• The main concerns for businesses are commercial burglary and nusinance disorder;


• The Alleygater scheme is seen as a good way of reducing burglary. Residents and businesses generally support the idea of installing more;


• 58% of residents would use a Local Police Reporting Centre;


• Police Constable Middleton covers the whole of Oldfield Ward.

Additional information
Alleygaters are gates used to limit access to properities through a back alley. This can reduce the number of burglaries as it is harder to access the premises, and harder to get away with any stolen goods.

Environment

• The Linear Way and parks in the area are seen as assets;


• More attention needs to be given to street cleanliness (e.g. dog fouling and litter);


• 16% of residents mentioned litter and rubbish as one of the worst things about the area;


• The maintenance of pavements and roads needs to be improved;


• Some damage comes from delivery vehicles and cars parking on pavements and grass verges.