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GWERNYMYNYDD VILLAGE PLAN CONSULTATION MAY 2009 During May in 2009 thirty nine questionnaires were completed. Respondents had obtained them at the Showcase event on 10 May, or at the Rainbow or the Owain Glyndwr where they were available until 6 June. The questionnaire sought opinions about Housing, the Environment, Local Amenities, and Transport. It also asked respondents about their current employment status. This report identifies the main findings from the response to the questions. While it provides some indication of opinions in the village, it is acknowledged that a larger number of respondents would provide a more comprehensive picture. Housing There are currently about 500 properties in the village and according to the County Council Unitary Development Plan Gwernymynydd will expand by between 8% and 15% during the next 15 years. There were three questions: A. What kind of housing would you prefer to see developed in the village? Please rank the list below from 1-6 with 1 as your highest priority and 6 as your lowest. (The list comprised Sheltered Housing, Affordable 2/3 bedroom houses, 4/5 bedroom houses, Housing Association property for rent and Special Housing for people who are disabled).
B. What size of future house build areas/developments do you think are required? Please rank the list below from 1-6 with 1 as the highest need and 6 as the lowest. (The list comprised “No Development”, Single Houses, Groups of 2-8 houses, 9-15 houses,16-22 houses or developments of more than 22)
C. Where would you prefer to see houses developed? Please rank the list below from 1-4 with 1 as the highest preference and 4 as the lowest. (The list comprised “Infilling gaps between existing houses”, “the area identified for development in the UDP”, “agricultural land outside the village”, “a mixture of the above”.) Additional comments about housing included: “housing schemes for first time buyers” “Brownfield sites & agricultural/industrial conversions to be utilised before new build on green field sites” “All of the above have a legitimate place in the growth of the village. Ratio should be decided on genuine factual statistics based on census figures and predictions. Market forces & LA finance will also influence options” “Affordable family houses (4 bed)” “No, so long as they fit into the village and area.” “Sheltered accommodation to be bungalows. Priority to local residents” The environment What environmental characteristics do you value in the village and which would rank as the most important? Please rank the list below from 1-7 with 1 as the most important and 7 as the least. (The characteristics were “Maintenance of roads and footpaths (excluding the A494 which is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly)”, “Visual quality of the area”, “Maintenance of public footpaths and open spaces” , “Safety of the area for pedestrians”, “Land is well used e.g. no derelict land”, “No excessive noise” , “No graffiti”.
Other comments about the environment? “More litter removal” “No litter!” “Better litter clearing- especially around the Swan” “I think the restored footpath up the main road enhances our village” “Amenity land on the “Tros Y Wern” estate is neglected. Some has been “incorporates into resident’s garden. Can the Community Council please reverse this?” “Increasing the daffodil planting, it cheers up the village in the spring time.” Speed on A494 (What about Flashing Warning signs?) and local rat-running. e.g. Hafod Road, usually at excessive speed!” “Quality of surfaces of side roads need improvement”) “Local visual improvements could be made at little cost- planting verges/ tubs etc- rail painting enhanced” “Imaginative speed reducing methods could be introduced. Visual speed reminders on A494 and traffic calming on side roads” “Reduce light pollution (too many lamp posts”) “Vital to keep green barrier between village and Mold” “Twmpath has been (illegally?) desecrated by landowner” “Fence line between garages on Heol-Y Wern & A494 (behind bus stop) – was originally planted. Council workers strimmed all young trees except for copper beech now fully developed. Any chance of having the line replanted?” “All features listed are important and differences in preferences are marginal” “The Swan Car Park & garages opposite, owned by the Council are illegally used to operate minibuses /coaches- which has environmental effect”) “Growing up in the village I would like access to housing when I am older, however no further property development is required” Local amenities What additional amenities would you like to see established in the village? Out of 43 suggestions 17 (39.5%) mentioned a post office or shop. One person stated that it should be on the Mold side of the village. Other suggestions included “More use of playing field (lighting, all weather pitch)” “Combine the two play grounds on one safe site” “Bowling green in Gwernymynydd” (from 2 separate respondents) “An Art & other special interest groups” “Proper church” “Nothing, but the Swan pub is an eyesore & needs a makeover” “The village seems to have an excellent range of facilities already- are they being made full use of?” “The Community Centre Car Park seldom has cars in it. Should we be doing more to promote this facility?” “More amenities for teenagers” “Increase amenities for young people (Extra Youth Club) “Neighbourhood energy schemes” “Youth Club” “More provision /organised activities for teenagers. The amenities above don’t fully provide for this. Age group- youth club not listed ??” “Greater flexibility of use for voluntary groups and groups such as food co-ops/mobile Post Office- Farm Shop. “Increase amenities for OAP’s (Bingo?)” “OAP meetings” (29) “Gun Club”(35) “Pharmacist (possibly)” “Tourist Information” “One more shop, to include different supplies e.g. walking & outdoor supplies.” Transport
Suggested improvements in response to transport questions included: 18 suggestions about bus services: “Would use bus if the company permitted dogs to use busses” “Bus service to nearest railway station to link with rail service” “Perhaps a “shuttle” to Mold Bus Station would be an idea? “Early evening bus & late, say 10.00 p.m.” “Smaller busses” “Bus service to railway stations” “Increased frequency of busses & good connections to areas beyond Mold” “Direct routes” “Modern cleaner bus shelters to aid visibility and the visual quality of the village” “More frequent, smaller busses” “Bus from Mold, late in the evening” “Cheaper bus service as the price at present is more than the cost of petrol & parking” “Sunday bus service every hour” “Later busses to & from Chester” “None, the service is regular & good” “Night time bus service” “A service from Gwernymynydd to Wrexham & visa-versa” “More frequent bus services” About provision for cyclists “Cycle track Mold – Gwernymynydd- Loggerheads would provide a facility for the village and link the town centre with a popular tourist attraction. This could be achieved quite easily- by widening existing footpath into grass verge and painting on markings” About the design of the A494 “Arrows at the round-about towards Mold indicating which lane to be in for drivers!” Characteristics of respondents Of the thirty nine respondents:
For 11 (40.7%) of those employed their journey to work is 20 minutes or less, For 10 (37%) the journey is between 20 & 40 minutes For 4 (14.8%) the journey is between 40 & 60 minutes, and For 2 (7%) the journey is more than 60 minutes. Involvement
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