The Plan - The Community Facing Change
South Molton is an ancient market town, noted for its elegant Georgian buildings, its markets and its woollen industry. It is 11 miles from Barnstaple, 18 miles from Tiverton, and 28 miles from Exeter. During the 16th century and 17th century it was granted royal charters to hold both cattle and produce markets. The town’s population rose steadily during the 18th and 19th centuries until it reached its peak in the 1850's with 5000 people. During this time, South Molton was a flourishing woollen and coaching town.
Whites Directory of 1850 describes the town thus
The principal streets are spacious and well paved, and contain several good inns and neat public buildings, and many handsome and well stocked shops… The soil is generally fertile and well cultivated, and rises in bold undulations from the river Mole on the east, and the Bray on the west. The Mole, from which the town has its name, gives motion to several woollen and corn mills.
The town has several wool combing establishments, and was formerly noted for the manufacture of serges, shalloons, and pelts. There is still one large woollen mill in the parish, employing about 150 hands; and in the neighbourhood are several other coarse woollen factories, and quarries of limestone, flagstones, &c. In the north part of the parish is a lead mine, which yields a considerable portion of silver.
The town is rich in traditional architecture and a town trail directs visitors to the main points of interest including the award-winning town museum and two fine churches. More recently the town has developed a reputation for its antique shops, fine arts and crafts and its selection of local produce, particularly honey and luxurious chocolates both made within the town. The current main employment activities within the town are the medium sized manufacturing companies, agricultural outlets and a range of retail and other services. There is an above average number of small to medium enterprises including many sole traders or partnerships.
The South Molton area covers 26 parishes, either side of South Molton, and from Exmoor to Chulmleigh. A ‘Healthcheck’ shows key statistics for the South Molton Rural Area (which covers Bishops Nympton, Chittlehampton, Chulmleigh, North Molton, South Molton and Witheridge wards) to include:
South Molton is an ancient market town, noted for its elegant Georgian buildings, its markets and its woollen industry. It is 11 miles from Barnstaple, 18 miles from Tiverton, and 28 miles from Exeter. During the 16th century and 17th century it was granted royal charters to hold both cattle and produce markets. The town’s population rose steadily during the 18th and 19th centuries until it reached its peak in the 1850's with 5000 people. During this time, South Molton was a flourishing woollen and coaching town.
Whites Directory of 1850 describes the town thus
The principal streets are spacious and well paved, and contain several good inns and neat public buildings, and many handsome and well stocked shops… The soil is generally fertile and well cultivated, and rises in bold undulations from the river Mole on the east, and the Bray on the west. The Mole, from which the town has its name, gives motion to several woollen and corn mills.
The town has several wool combing establishments, and was formerly noted for the manufacture of serges, shalloons, and pelts. There is still one large woollen mill in the parish, employing about 150 hands; and in the neighbourhood are several other coarse woollen factories, and quarries of limestone, flagstones, &c. In the north part of the parish is a lead mine, which yields a considerable portion of silver.
The town is rich in traditional architecture and a town trail directs visitors to the main points of interest including the award-winning town museum and two fine churches. More recently the town has developed a reputation for its antique shops, fine arts and crafts and its selection of local produce, particularly honey and luxurious chocolates both made within the town. The current main employment activities within the town are the medium sized manufacturing companies, agricultural outlets and a range of retail and other services. There is an above average number of small to medium enterprises including many sole traders or partnerships.
The South Molton area covers 26 parishes, either side of South Molton, and from Exmoor to Chulmleigh. A ‘Healthcheck’ shows key statistics for the South Molton Rural Area (which covers Bishops Nympton, Chittlehampton, Chulmleigh, North Molton, South Molton and Witheridge wards) to include:
- A gently increasing population, which in 2001 was approximately 13,700 (up from 13300 in 1991), although this is due to increase through new development identified in the Local Plan, First Deposit to 2011, which shows an increase over five hundred new homes.
- The main employment sector within the area is agriculture with an estimated 17% (North Devon 10.4%, England & Wales 2%);
- 56% of households within the area have an income of less than £15,000 per year (England & Wales 43%).
A Regeneration Initiative has been running for eight years and has already had a number of events and some projects are underway. An appraisal was undertaken in 1997 and more of the Healthcheck has been completed. However, to date, most of the projects are focussed on the South Molton area, being the service centre for the area. The Management Board has been established which is managing the MCTI and this consists of 18 people drawn from private, public and voluntary sector organisations with people co-opted for their specialist skills. The MCTI process consolidates the previous work of Molton Area 2000, the needs and aspirations of the community and the work of statutory agencies driving the programme of change.
There are many factors driving the change agenda, including
- The Devon Structure Plan and in turn the North Devon Local Plan
to the year 2011, allocate over five hundred new homes to South Molton town, as well as further allocations
in many of the parishes within the MCTI area. This generates the need for improvements to infrastructure,
employment opportunities, health provision and community facilities
- The South Molton MCTI area is predominantly rural with a large percentage
of inhabitants employed in the agricultural sector. The decline in the sector produces a need for alternative
employment opportunities along with associated skill requirements. Accessibility is also an issue for
the rural parishes
- Similarly, lack of opportunities and low income is producing a widening gap
between salaries and housing affordability, resulting in a gradual migration of Young People out of
the area, and especially the parishes. There is a need for new employment opportunities, promoting local
talent and helping new and existing businesses
- Following the closure of livestock markets during the Foot and Mouth outbreak
of 2001, several markets were unable to recover. SWeRDA commissioned a report recommending strategic
sites for livestock markets in the South West, one of which was identified as South Molton. Public consultation
supported the relocation of the town centre market to an out of town location at Pathfields Business
Park
- A report produced on behalf of North Devon District Council on retail provision
in North Devon recommends a medium sized supermarket for South Molton town. MA2K and NDDC have been
in talks with prospective retailers and their plans will be incorporated into the Central Development
Area. The Disability Discrimination Act will bring pressures for community facilities to be accessible
by all by October 2004. Whilst it allows for dispensations where it is not practical, MA2K is working
with the South Molton Access Group to upgrade facilities as widely as possible
3.4 Setting Priorities
When setting priorities for project delivery within the Action Plan, the drivers for change are influenced by other factors
- It is important that project priorities are not funding led,
but projects are more likely to succeed where funding is available or potentially available. This includes
funding for up-front at risk costs, which may be lost if a project is proved not to be feasible. Timing
of funding availability can influence priorities, especially where partners and funding providers are
working to different financial time-scales
- Molton Area 2000 management board is able to facilitate project delivery,
but a person or organisation must be identified to lead on the delivery of projects. Projects for which
a project manager is identified may take a higher priority than one where no project leader is available
- Working in partnership with all stakeholders, priorities may change if partner
organisations have conflicting priorities
- Community aspirations should not be a wish list; health-check data should
reflect a need for the project and project evaluation used to show how delivery of the project has improved
the situation
A lot has been achieved in the two years since the start of the MCTI process in the South Molton area. This has kick-started the regeneration process and allowed for closer working between the MA2K management board and members, the people of the community and public, private and voluntary organisations. Examples of the work carried out so far are:
Quick win projects including
- Feasibility study into a Youth Resource Centre
- Business advice sessions for existing and potential small businesses
- Development of small business database
- Street furniture refurbishment and new dog litter bins
- Xmas brochure and lighting
- Pannier market display brackets
- Enhancement to the area around New Walk Steps
Capacity Building
- Training sessions and workshops for community groups (e.g. Funding applications, motivating volunteers)
- Increase of skills of people in the community through involvement in project work
- Increase in publishing capacity and skills
Closer links with the community
- Newsletters delivered to all stakeholders and majority of households
- Four page tabloid-style newspaper delivered to 6,600 households with consultation response tear-off section
- Exhibitions in South Molton pannier market on market day to enable face to face communication
- Exhibitions in South Molton, Chulmleigh and mobile libraries
- Regular updates to parishes via the South Molton Community Information Centre Newsletter
- MA2K membership for representatives of many community groups (Youth Strategy
Group, Skateboard park group, Pathfields Business Forum, Chamber of Trade, U3A, Access Group etc)
Feasibility Studies
- South Molton Regeneration Study
- Future of South Molton Livestock Market
- Youth Resource Centre
- Conservation Area Character Assessment
This Strategic Action Plan forms the Business Plan for the future of South Molton. This could also be known as a ‘Community Plan’. It aims to pull together all known elements of the regeneration and ensure this is not achieved by piecemeal development. It recognises, and is recognised by, members of the public, who have been constantly involved through consultation and supports the MCTI principle of holistic generation.
It aims to make South Molton self reliant, such that private investment is encouraged and return on investment will ensure future viability. Once the town centre plans are underway, the programme will continue to roll out to the hinterland.
The following section describes more fully the themes and projects that make up the project plan, their inter-relationships, the expected outputs, outcomes and time scales, This is followed the full project plan showing responsibilities and time-scales.
There are six key themes to bring about the regeneration programme, along with a seventh designed to make the themes become a reality:
1. Infrastructure
South Molton is expanding rapidly and the current infrastructure is not sufficient to support sustainable growth:
- There needs to be investment in the water supply and drainage and sewage systems in the town
- The Junior School has reached capacity and does not have easy access. Ideally the new Infants School, along with a new Junior School could be utilised to provide combined Primary Schools at either end of the town
- The current housing market situation is detrimental to Young People who wish to remain in the town and start families of their own. A housing needs survey would provide evidence to allow building of housing stock including sufficient affordable housing
- The Doctor’s Surgeries in their current position are neither of a sufficient size nor accessibility for the people of the town and surrounding villages. A suitable site for relocation is being sought
- Overlying all projects is the desire to provide sustainable development including
a district heating system. The sustainable housing development at Livarot Walk and the innovative South
Molton Recycling Centre have paved the way for South Molton to become a flagship of Sustainable Development
2. Economy and
Skills
Working with the South Molton Chamber of Trade, strategies are being developed for both the futures of Small Businesses and Marketing in the area:
- We are completing a database of all known small businesses in the area, and from this we are establishing what are the priorities and barriers to progress
- South Molton has been designated a satellite business start-up site for the Caddesdown Business Park and will provide short-term lease premises along with business support to businesses which show they have the calibre to succeed
- Pathfields Business Park is developing to the capacity permitted under the Local Structure Plan and demand is high. A major element will be the relocation of the Livestock Market from its current town centre site to a site identified on Pathfields
- To ensure the long-term future of the area as a viable business option, it is paramount that Broadband is available
- To enable the economy to strengthen, and to provide year-round employment, skills of the workforce must be developed to meet the demands of employers. This includes hi-tech industries, traditional rural crafts and tradesmen
- We will encourage Lifelong Learning by ensuring access is available to basic
and core skills, IT skills and continuing to include the University of the Third Age (U3A) in all consultation
3. Traffic and
Sustainable Transport
Whilst there are no major blockages or accident blackspots, there are issues that need to be addressed to enable the area to be made safer, cleaner and more accessible:
- A traffic survey is required to ascertain the extent of the problems
- There is a problem with freight vehicles travelling through the town centre. It is planned to move the central Lorry Park to Pathfields Business Park. Alternative routings for freight vehicles must also be investigated
- Areas of particular concern are the A361 junction at Bourners Bridge, the routing of freight vehicles through the village of Filleigh to the factory at Hill village and the A399 junction at Brayford. We are working with the County Council to find solutions or compromises to these issues.
- Sustainable travel will be encouraged by improving pedestrian and cycle routes in and around town and providing cycle parking areas; working with the North Devon Community Transport Association to encourage parish travel initiatives; providing a coach and bus drop-off point in a suitable location and ensuring there is adequate parking for those for whom public transport is not an option
- We are investigating ways in which changes to the flow of traffic around town
can help safety, accessibility and the general pleasing aspect of the town and how sustainable transport
can help with this.
4. Heritage and Recreation
The town comprises many magnificent old buildings. Regeneration of the town must include a mix of new buildings along with preserving the fabric of buildings whilst encouraging uses that will bring the heritage to all. Further, it is recognised that sports provision in the area is insufficient if people are to be encouraged to use South Molton as the service centre for its vast hinterland:
- The group is commissioning a Conservation Area Character Assessment to ascertain the current condition and potential uses of buildings
- A group is working specifically on the future of the Town Hall and Pannier Market complex. They are discussing both traditional and creative ways of bringing the heritage to those who may not have ventured into these areas before. One current user of the Town Hall complex is the museum, which is not working to its full potential due to its location.
- The Swimming Pool Trust is working with us to extend their provision and potentially that of other sports organisations. South Molton Community College is also extending its provision and the Football Club has plans for improvements. One overall Sports Forum should be formed to bring improved sporting facilities to the town
- Working with the District and Town Councils and developers, we are looking
at the overall green and amenity space provision of the town. It is intended to extend this remit to
include the hinterland
5. Central Development Area
We are working with all groups to ensure a holistic approach and to discourage piecemeal development. To this end, organisations that are looking at development are encouraged to put their plans to us to be included in the Strategic Action Plan:
- We are completing a land assembly map to ensure that land acquisition
is as painless as possible and can be negotiated to the maximum benefit of all
- In line with the revised deposit of the North Devon Local Plan and current
government thinking, the Central Development Area is being developed as a mixed use area
- Plans are afoot for a new medium sized supermarket on the central car park
site
- Management of the Doctor’s Surgeries and Police Station wish to relocate to
larger and more accessible premises
- We hope to provide a one-stop shop to house some or all of: the Library, Community
Information Centre, Tourist Information Centre, Museum, District and Town Councils. This is being achieved
by working with the group who are looking at the use of existing buildings to provide a mix and match
solution
- The recycling centre site can potentially be split such that the retail centre
and recycling bins are in the central area and the operations are relocated to an out of town site
- Good linkages between the current main shopping area on the Square and streets
around with the proposed developments in the Central Development Area are paramount to ensure both areas
remain vibrant
6.
Youth and Community
- There are currently no facilities specifically for the
- Young People of the town and community facilities are poorly housed in small inaccessible buildings: -
- We are working with the Youth Recreation Group to provide a Skateboard Park in the central park area
- A feasibility study has been carried out to find the best solution for a Youth Resource Centre for the town. This recommends a stand-alone new building in the central car park area and Young People of the town await this with baited breath
- Until a permanent Youth Resource Centre is built, a temporary youth base must be found. We are working with the South Molton Youth Strategy Group to find a suitable site/premises
- As shown (in section 5) above, Town Centre Development, a combination of one-stop shop new build and using existing buildings will house the community facilities of the town
- In the longer term, we must continue to ensure that there is sufficient provision
for the Elderly, Under-Fives and After-School clubs
7.
Delivering the Plan
The projects shown above cannot become a reality without a co-ordinated effort to bring together the agencies and organisations that will bring about change. MA2K state in their Business Plan that the aim of the Company is to deliver the regeneration programme for South Molton by:
- Operating as a Company Limited by Guarantee, ensuring all dealings
are ethical and legal and cause no hardship to any person or organisation
- Securing the employment of a Town Centre Co-ordinator to oversee the projects
and liaise with the various organisations and contractors involved
- Improving communication between the Company and the 11,000 people who make
up the area of benefit and would potentially look to South Molton as their service centre
- Continue to help build the capacity of the people of the area to ensure sustainability
- Establish monitoring and evaluation data to show that the projects are not
being carried out for projects sake, but are achieving real change in the regeneration of South Molton
and the hinterland
- Calling together the MCTI Brokering Table – this plan, along with the MA2K
Business Plan, is designed to show the ‘Big Picture’ for the future of South Molton. MA2K will use the
plan to deliver the regeneration programme for South Molton, thus:
- The plan was first published in December 2003 and will be reviewed and updated
periodically. Copies of the plan have been seen by all relevant agencies and stakeholders prior to the
first sitting of the South Molton MCTI Brokering Table in January 2004. At this stage, projects will
be prioritised and organisations will sign-up to the plan and, in some cases, commit funding where it
fits their own current plans. The project delivery timetables will be amended.
- All projects will be worked up by a project leader, or the agency responsible
for delivery of that part of the plan. At this stage further Brokering Tables will be called to secure
funding for individual projects. The project leader and/or agency will then see the project through
to delivery and implementation. It is imperative that the sustainability of each project is written
into the project plan along with an exit strategy, if appropriate.
- The Project Plan (pdf 17kb)
The MCTI process culminates in a gathering together of agencies and funding providers to gain in principle support for the Action Plan and the projects therein. Support may include commitment to funding, inclusion in capital programmes or in forward plans for the organisation. This gathering is known as a Brokering Table. The first meeting of the Brokering Table will introduce the Strategic Action Plan to gain endorsement. Subsequently the table will be called together as projects require up-front funding to look at the feasibility of projects or where feasibility studies have been carried out or are not required, the actual costs of the project.
Alongside the Brokering Table, MA2K is represented on the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) known as North Devon Community Alliance. This is made up of agencies across North Devon who may be directly involved with the projects in the Action Plan. We have found it is important to open the channels of communication with the LSP Members. In this way, agencies will come to the Brokering Table prepared for specific projects, can ascertain how the projects fit with their own priorities and be able to give commitment to delivering projects, funding or other support within specific time-frames. A list of LSP member organisations can be found in Appendix E.(pdf 19kb)
