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Within the views of survey respondents (both
residents and businesses), the greatest support
for increased residential accommodation
was in the form of the conversion of derelict
structures. It was also agreed that these could
usefully be made into workshops, or buildings
for community or agricultural uses.
The responses indicated that residents are
split as to whether new houses should be built,
with a slim majority (50%) supporting some
new houses in the parish, compared with 41%
against. The value placed by both residents and
businesses on the preservation of the unique
features of the village of Preston on Stour was
demonstrated by the results of the survey.
Although 50% of respondents favoured
the building of new houses within the parish
overall, the majority of people wanted none
in the Conservation Area. Only 34% were
in favour of any new building within that
protected zone.
There were wide differences of opinion
over optimum numbers, types and sites for
new housing. One aspect upon which there
was a very high percentage of agreement was
that any new building should be strictly in
keeping with the character of the village and
its surroundings; also that these same standards
should apply equally to all conversions,
extensions and alterations.
The views of business owners were also
similarly divided (50% supporting new house-
building and 38% against). This indicates the
need for careful consideration, consultation
and planning should new housing be proposed
in the parish.
By far the greatest number of respondents
cited new building as the biggest issue facing
the community over the next ten years, but
were divided over whether the threat to the
parish was the construction of new housing,
or the lack of new housing. Comments such
as “Housing could ruin the village” and “A
dying village with an increasingly ageing
population and few families” demonstrated this
disagreement, although the majority were in
favour of some development in the parish, but
not in the Conservation Area.
It is also important to note that a time-scale
for the construction of new housing was not
stated, so it is unclear whether the numbers
of houses expressed by respondents relate to
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term such as 20 years.
Future Development in the Parish
Police, Fire and Ambulance
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the survey did not have a view on the standard
of each of the emergency services in question.
Of those who did 33% felt the police and
ambulance services were satisfactory or better
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Utilities
90% rated the mains electricity and water
services as satisfactory or better. A slightly
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of the sewerage service. General waste
collections are made on every other Monday
alternating with the collection of recyclables
and garden waste. 90% of respondents rated
refuse collection/recycling /garden waste
disposal as satisfactory or better. There was
considerable interest in an oil buying syndicate.
In fact a scheme exists already, managed by
Warwickshire Rural Community Council,
which aims to reduce domestic heating oil
costs by bulk buying.
67% of households would like to be
connected to a mains gas supply. In the village,
mail is delivered and collected from Monday
to Saturday. There is one post box outside
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adjacent to the village green. The BT telephone
service was considered satisfactory or better by
75% of respondents; however it was strongly
felt by 66% that mobile ‘phone reception was
patchy and at best, poor. 54% felt that a current
broadband speed of 2-3Mb/s is completely
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Essential Services