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Home – About Us – Forums – Project Groups – Community Plan – Plan Review – Contacts - Links |
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The Totnes & District Community Plan (continued) |
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2.0 BACKGROUND TO THE PLAN 2.1 Geographical Context - The Totnes MCTi Area of Benefit Totnes is situated in South Devon in the local government district of South Hams District Council on the lower reaches of the River Dart, just prior to where the river opens out to become the Dart Estuary. It is a small but vibrant market town with a population of about 9000 located within an attractive rural setting of tight-knit rolling hill pastures and small woodlands intersected with river valleys. It has road and rail connections to Plymouth (27 miles south west), Exeter (27 miles north east) and Torbay, which is about 7 miles to the east by road. The landscape setting of Totnes is extremely important, with most of the surrounding landscape being designated as Areas of Great Landscape Value. The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty extends up the River Dart as far as the southern edge of Totnes, and the Coastal Preservation Area also extends up the Dart Valley to the southern edge of the town. The Hinterland This is comprised of surrounding parishes, which look to Totnes to provide services such as education, shopping, health and other associated services. The parishes included in the Totnes MCTi district are: • Ashprington
2.2 Historical Background Totnes is regarded as one of the most important historic towns in Britain and in conservation terms is recognised by English Heritage, the Civic Trust and other national bodies to be of national importance. The reasons for its establishment and development are varied but it is always important to recognise the importance of the past in framing the success of the future. Totnes’s location and environment have always been the source of its wealth; that wealth lead to a nationally recognised built environment which draws visitors and therefore income to the town today. The way to ensure prosperity in the future is to capitalise on the heritage and culture of Totnes to ensure a future for the community as a whole.
2.3 Local Pioneers and Initiatives Totnes has a national reputation as a culturally unique centre, a reputation and pedigree fortified by the number of local pioneers that have emerged from the town and its surrounding area - people and initiatives, which have had an impact nationally as well as locally. Through time, some have played a role of energising the town, particularly in the spheres of philosophical thought and alternative approaches to social and economic issues. Others have made contributions to the national heritage, or even made their mark at an international level. It is beyond the scope of this document to include all the people and organisations that fit this description. What follows is a selection of case studies of local people and organisations, from both the past and the present, which have reached out in an enterprising spirit and forged a culture of forward thinking. This spirit of enterprise has formed the foundations of many of the projects contained within this plan. Totnes and the surrounding communities have a well defined vision for the future of their community. Community inspired action and innovation combined with the support of policy and funding partners will ensure a bright future for all those living, working and visiting this unique place. INFLUENCES A few of the important cultural and artistic pioneers from the area have been included in the following paragraphs; these help to explain the ongoing passion of the community of Totnes for culture, heritage and the arts; safeguarding the environment and sustainability and protecting the local economy through innovation in employment. Dartington Hall Trust - innovation and pioneering in Arts Heritage and Culture. The Dartington Hall Trust is an internationally renowned and recognised organisation which, since Dorothy and Leonard Elmhurst bought the Dartington Hall Estate in 1925 to provide not only a home for themselves but also for the radical social, economic and cultural project they wished to create, has been an intrinsic part of the community. The innovation and free thinking which inspired the establishment of the trust has continued with many projects around education, the arts, crafts, social entrepreneurship and social welfare, the environment, agriculture and small business creation. There are a number of activities to which the Trust gives priority. These are in four categories: 1. The Arts Dartington Plus - A partnership between The Dartington Hall Trust, Dartington College of Arts and King Edward VI Community College in Totnes (KEVICC). Its work includes education and community activities, ‘cross-cutting’ projects such as music collaborations with other art forms and the creation of the Southwest music development agency. Dartington International Summer School – The story of the Summer school goes back to the first Edinburgh Festival in 1947. An extraordinary range of artists from all over the world were assembled at the initiative of John Christie and his Glyndebourne manager Rudolf Bing, who became the Festival’s first director. Their mission was the healing of wartime rifts through cultural regeneration. The list of those who came marked the post-war musical advance – Copland, Poulenc, Britten, Stravinsky, Berio and Maxwell-Davies to name but a few. Today the Summer school is a unique, five-week summer school and festival that has changed lives and inspired all sorts of creative endeavour in its 50-year history. Dartington Arts - Provides a year-round arts programme at Dartington, offering contemporary performances, dance, theatre and film. The programme includes workshops, visits and residencies by artists and uses the Great Hall, Barn Theatre and other performances across the Estate. Craft Education Centre - Activities include crafts, craft education, bookbinding and printmaking. 2. Ecology Schumacher College – was founded in 1991 on the conviction that a new vision is needed for human society and its relationship to the earth. The college is named after E.F. Schumacher, author of the seminal work: ‘Small is Beautiful’. 3. Land and Heritage (the place) Grounds, gardens and historical buildings – The 28-acre garden is recognised as one of the best 20th century gardens in the country. The Mediaeval buildings were built in the 14th century and include a Great Hall, remnant buildings for estate workers and a 17th century church. Both the Great Hall and gardens have Grade II listed status. Dartington Hall Archive and Collection at High Cross House – Contain an extensive archive of the history of the Trust itself and those who came to Dartington. It also houses an extensive collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, pottery and furniture. 4. Social Research The Trust also runs The Dartington Trading Company Limited which operates the Cider Press Centre and the Totnes Bookshop. This is a major tourist attraction with more than 60000 visitors a year. The Cider Press Centre is a visitor, craft, exhibition and retail complex. There are some organisations based on the Dartington Hall Estate that, while independent, have a history associated with the Trust:. Dartington College of Arts - Is a university sector college for undergraduate and post graduate study and research in contemporary performance arts. It is a small specialist arts community with an international reputation drawing in academics and practitioners from all round the world giving an international dimension to Dartington and Totnes communities making them known far and wide. The Centre for Creative Enterprise and Participation, an arm of the College, helps people making a living from art business support and continuing professional development. It also helps with artistic project management in regeneration programmes. At present it is developing a project called ‘Arts Park’, which will have a significant impact on the local community and small businesses working in the arts. Dartington Plus is another arm of the College and aims to support long-term participation in music and the arts for all people of all ages and backgrounds in the South West. |
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Wakefield Trust – Is a College business start-up programme, which helps provide new artists with studios therefore, placing a presence of professional art in the High Street of Totnes. Warren House Group – Now an independent charity is the re-named Dartington Social Research Unit. Its main focus of work is in research, policy formation and dissemination in the field of child protection. Riverford Organic Vegetables - environmental pioneer and business innovation Guy Watson set up Riverford Organic Vegetables in 1986 on three acres of land on the family farm at Staverton. Riverford Organic Vegetables Is part of the South Devon Organic Producer Group, which is a cooperative of 13 family-run farms in south Devon, sharing machinery, labour and information on organic growing. By jointly planning the crop production, the co-operative is able to grow 85 different varieties of vegetables, ensuring that the 20000 boxes delivered every week have a year-round interest. |
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The expansion of Riverford Organic Vegetables has benefited the local area in several ways. Firstly, the company gives employment to 120 local people throughout the year (180 during the summer months), which not only elevates the local economy but also enhances the skill base of the local workforce. Secondly, the distribution and marketing structure pioneered by the farm has enabled many other local quality food producers to ’piggy-back’ on Riverford’s infrastructure, enabling them to capture the various business opportunities provided by a national marketing and distribution network. These producers include Heron Valley Cider and Apple Juice, Luscombe Organic Drinks, the Well Hung Meat Company, Tideford Organic Foods and Burts Potato Chips. This in turn has given many of these companies a national reputation in their own right. Other recent developments include the ‘Field Kitchen’, which was opened in May 2005, supplying a local primary school with its school meals. In 2004, Riverford Organic Vegetables took on the catering contract for Landscove Primary School and now provide more than 90 meals per day. There is scope to explore this area more and the company is considering the setting up of a training scheme for the school’s kitchen staff. Riverford Organic Vegetables has now established a national reputation, with Guy Watson being invited to speak on national food issues on programmes such as the BBC Food Programme. Totnes Caring - pioneering community care Totnes Caring is a volunteer group offering help and assistance to the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged with the aims of enabling people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. It was set up in 1987 by doctors in the town to provide extra assistance for their patients. In 1989 it became involved with the Closer to Home project, which enabled it to grow to its present size. The projects it already has in place include: • Transport – either with volunteer cars or a mini-bus taking people to hospitals, surgeries, dentists and opticians. Straw Bale House- environmental pioneering Jim and Kate Carfrae’s project, the erection of a straw bale house is the first house of its kind to be built in the Southwest using this kind of technology. The project demonstrates the wide spread concern within Totnes about safeguarding the environment and the importance of sustainable building techniques. |
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Peter Goss – technological innovator and entrepreneur. Pete Goss’s yacht Team Phillips was constructed at the boat-building yard on the River Dart, Totnes. Although the revolutionary catamaran eventually broke up in a round the world race, it was regarded as a unique project on the cutting edge of technology. Prior to that event Goss had already made his mark in the Vendee Globe Non-Stop, Single-Handed World Race in 1996, when quite unexpectedly the drama of the race unfolded in the hostile environment of the Southern Ocean. In huge seas and winds up to 80 mph fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli’s boat got into trouble. Receiving the distress call Goss immediately turned his boat around and rescued him. He was awarded France’s highest award the Legion d’Honneur by President Chirac of France, and the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen. |
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2.4 Consultation To ensure a proper assessment of the community’s needs, a series of public consultation events have taken place, many working in partnership with service providers to identify priority issues and develop appropriate, realistic and achievable solutions. |
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Community Participation Day 17.11.2001 A stakeholders meeting to identify current issues, priorities and a future vision for Totnes and its rural hinterland. Attended by representatives from South Hams District Council, Devon & Cornwall Police, Age Concern, Tor Homes, Totnes Development Trust and Totnes Citizens Advice Bureau, and facilitated by officers from Devon County Council, South Hams District Council and South Hams Council for Voluntary Service. Information gathered at this event formed the basis for the later establishment of the Strategy Group and themed Working Groups. Bridgetown Consultation Day 11.01.2003 A community participation event from which the Bridgetown Alive! residents Group was formed. Steamer Quay, Furze Road play area and a 20mph speed limit were also identified as priority issues. Proposals to address all three issues were later taken to public consultation. Youth Consultation Report 28.03.2003 A survey outlining the concerns, views, needs and ideas of young people in Totnes and the surrounding area, supported by Totnes & District MCTi, Devon District Council, South Hams District Council and Totnes Town Council. Two of the priority projects identified have already been developed - the Youth Council - in partnership with local schools and Totnes Town Council, and the establishment of a young people’s community website- a project funded by a Quick-Win grant from the Totnes & District Community Strategy Group. |
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Steamer Quay Design Days 16-17.05.2003 A public consultation event held in partnership with South Hams District Council to develop a community-led regeneration scheme for the whole of the Steamer Quay area of Bridgetown. Following the event, detailed plans were drawn up and displayed for further comment. With minor alterations, costings are now being produced, planning permission sought and funding applied for. Rotherfold Design Day 21.06.2003 A public consultation event, funded by a Quick-Win grant from the Totnes & District Community Strategy Group. Four proposals for the regeneration of this neglected area of Totnes were presented in the form of artists’ impressions. Attended by representatives of Devon County Council, South Hams District Council and Totnes Town Council. A report was later collated and circulated to the District Council - the landowners - and other stakeholders. Ashprington & Tuckenhay Community Planning Day 12.07.2003 A community participation event supported by the Community Plan Office as part of the Rural Hinterlands outreach group. Identifying the need for better rural transport infrastructure, increased opportunities for employment in the area, improved village services and the provision of affordable housing for local people. Furze Road Family Fun Day 20.08.2003 A project initially identified at the Bridgetown Consultation Day 11/01/03. A community event funded by South Hams District Council and local businesses. As well as entertainment, attendees were also consulted on draft plans for the Furze Road/Rush Way play area, and a drop-in club for 9-12 years. Cornworthy Design Day 14.9.2003 A community participation event supported by the Community Plan Office as part of the Rural Hinterlands outreach group. Identifying the need for improved village services, modernisation of the village hall, and the provision of affordable housing for local people. Public Art Design Day 15.9.2003 Funded by Devon County Council and facilitated by Andrew Stacey, the Public Art Advisor for Devon. Open to members of the Working Groups. A workshop to develop a coherent and imaginative plan for street furniture and public art provision, complementing work being done at Steamer Quay, Rotherfold and as part of the Fore Street/High Street enhancement. Ideas and drawings were displayed at the Community Action Plan Consultation Days. Community Action Plan Consultation Days 22-25.9.2003 A four day exhibition of the draft Totnes & District Community Action Plan, held in Bridgetown and at the Civic Hall, Totnes, with contributions from the Working Groups, Devon County Council, South Hams District Council, the Primary Health Care Trust and other external stakeholders. Bridgetown 20mph Consultation 13.10.2003 (A project initially identified at the Bridgetown Consultation Day 11/01/03). A consultation event to gauge public views on a proposed 20 mile an hour speed limit and traffic calming measures in residential areas of Bridgetown. Sponsored by Devon County Council. Community Appraisals Information used in the development of the Totnes & District Community Action Plan was also gathered from recent Community Appraisals carried out in the parishes within the Totnes & District area. These include: Health check A South Hams-wide health check, focusing on the market towns of Totnes, Kingsbridge , Dartmouth and Ivybridge is being carried out in parallel with the production of this Community Action Plan. The health check: • Consists of a series of worksheets which contain questions about environmental, economic, social and community issues, |
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2.5 Initiative Diary This sub-section provides a quick overview of the work undertaken to enter the MCTi process, establish thepartnership and develop the Action Plan.
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To manage and coordinate the information gathered through the community consultation a Strategy Group was formed. Mission Statement: A community based ‘umbrella’ group working in partnership to improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of all those who live and work in the town and its surrounding villages. The Totnes & District Community Strategy Group (TDCSG) was formed as a steering group to oversee the process of strategic planning. Membership was open to any resident of parishes within the Totnes & District MCTi area. Its aim was to: • Identify the social, economic and environmental strengths and weaknesses of Totnes and its rural hinterland These objectives would be achieved by: • Utilising the experience and expertise of Strategy Group members, There are currently eleven members of the Totnes & District Community Strategy Group, including a County Councillor, a District Councillor and four Town Councillors, as well as representatives from the Working Groups. Working Groups Priority issues were identified through public consultation and several themed Working Groups were later constituted to develop project ideas. Since their inception, the Working Groups have continued to meet on a regular basis to evaluate and prioritise their projects. Current Working Groups include: Affordable Housing Working Group: Working in partnership with local agencies and authorities to support increased provision of affordable, low-impact, self-build housing in the Totnes & District Area. Arts & Culture Working Group: The Group aims to promote the arts as an economic driver, support local creative enterprises and increase opportunities for the community to participate in and enjoy the arts. Heritage Group: A consortium of groups committed to heritage issues including: The Totnes Development Trust, English Heritage, Totnes Town Council, Totnes Tourist Information Centre, Totnes Elizabethan Museum Trust, Totnes Museum Society, The Devonshire Collection of Period Costume, The Totnes & District Preservation Trust, The Totnes & District Society, The Image Bank, The South Devon Railway, The Town Mill Trust and St Mary’s Church. Involved in a range of activities to present and interpret the past, ensure the conservation of the town’s historic character, and create awareness, engaging the interest of the community. Bridgetown Alive!: Mission Statement: To improve the environment and the well-being of all Bridgetown inhabitants. The Group will work with the community worker and residents to develop community projects through organising community events, and raise appropriate funding. A constituted residents group supported by a part-time Community Development Worker. Business Working Group: Mission Statement: The object of the Group shall be to promote and advance the general commercial and professional business interests of Totnes and District as defined by the Totnes and District Community Strategy Group. The Business Working Group shall be empowered to instigate, discuss or promote measures as may be calculated to be of benefit to the economic environment of Totnes and District. Working in partnership with the Totnes Chamber of Commerce. Community Assets Working Group: Mission Statement: The aim of the Group is to: Identify, evaluate and seek ways to improve provision of facilities (physical/building or space) of potential value for the benefit of the community - either open or internal, private or public, which could be used for recreation, performance, education and/or entertainment. Cycle/Walkway Group: A Group supporting the extension of the National Cycle Network from Totnes to Buckfastleigh in partnership with Devon County Council and Sustrans. Constituted as a sub-group of the Traffic & Transport Working Group. River Dart Group: A Group developed from the Community Assets Working Group, seeking to address issues affecting the River Dart highlighted in the Totnes Town Appraisal 1999 and at the Community Participation Day November 2001. Working in partnership with Dartmouth MCTi and Dart Estuary Environmental Management (DEEM). Rural Hinterlands: An outreach Group, supported by staff of the Community Plan Office. Organising community planning events in surrounding parishes and collating an area-wide ‘needs analysis’ from recent local appraisals. Social Inclusion: An outreach Group, supported by staff of the Community Plan Office. Working in partnership with existing agencies and charitable groups to develop projects that will address social and healthcare issues. Sustainable Housing: Focusing on low-impact, sustainable development issues. Constituted as a sub-group of the Sustainability Working Group. Sustainability Working Group: Mission Statement: The Group will support projects that ensure sustainable solutions to the needs of Totnes & District, so that future generations can continue to enjoy the area’s characteristic qualities. The Group will also monitor, comment on and offer advice about developments and initiatives in the area. We consider sustainability applies to all aspects of life- environmental, ecological, economic, social and cultural. Traffic & Transport Working Group: A long-standing Group, first established in July 1999 as the Totnes Community Appraisal Traffic Group (TCATG). Working closely with Devon County Council to consider transport and parking issues in and around Totnes and recommend appropriate improvements. Young People: An outreach project, initially supported by a Community Development Worker. Developing, circulating and collating the information from an extensive Youth Survey and identifying priority themes and projects. Community Plan Office In June 2003, the Community Plan Office was opened in Totnes High Street to act as a focal point for town regeneration and support the work of the Strategy Group and the Working Groups, and offer outreach services to the local community.
In embarking on the MCTi process, establishing the steering and Working Groups, and developing the Community Action Plan, the Totnes & District MCTi has sought to work effectively in partnership with: • Totnes Town Council
2.6 Community Themes Why have the issues raised through consultation with the community been organised in the plan as five themes?
Following the community consultation, which has taken place over the last few years, the information gathered was analysed and fell into five main categories or themes. These themes reflect the issues which are of greatest concern to the community as a whole and are, perhaps unsurprisingly: Economy and Tourism; Affordable Housing; Access to Services; Heritage, Culture and the Arts and the Environment. Although the individual issues underlying these themes may relate very particularly to Totnes it is probably no surprise to learn that many other communities face the same sort of problems and that Local and National Government and other agencies have and are developing plans to assist communities in dealing with many of these issues. The benefit of organising the issues into these themes is that it enables individuals, groups, statutory and other potential partnership organisations to easily identify the issues and projects and to participate in regeneration projects to make social, economic and environmental improvements within Totnes in a sustainable way. The themes closely correspond with those highlighted in the South Hams Community Strategy 2003 – 2006. The Community Strategy has drawn on local knowledge and experience, which makes it fine-tuned to issues at a grassroots level. It has also drawn together the service providers into one Partnership Forum, which can address issues from an integrated framework at a district level and helps avoid duplication. Tying in the Totnes Community Action Plan themes with those of the South Hams Community Strategy will help guide new community group projects to connect with priorities set at a district level, making it more likely to attract funding. The Action Plan, in turn, can inform the policy-making processes of the statutory organisations. In addition, two other themes specific to the needs of Totnes have also been identified – Arts, Heritage and Culture and the Environment. Totnes has a reputation for its heritage and a correspondingly unique culture; it is what attracts visitors to the town and makes it a special place. However, this has not been exploited to its full potential and it is essential for the town not to miss out on present opportunities. Environment is also a key theme. Although it is referred to as an underlying cross-cutting theme in the South Hams Community Strategy, the environment plays an important part in influencing and maintaining the character of the town and surrounding district, making Totnes special in not only in a physical sense but also in the beliefs, values and priorities of the people who live there. The themes are detailed below.
Clearly the issue of low wages and seasonal employment is of great concern to the community. Low wages is obviously an issue which needs to be tackled at a number of different levels- new infrastructure is an important facet - the A385 through Totnes is the third most congested road in Devon. In this case the role of the plan is to highlight the problem. This is an issue, which can be highlighted in this plan, but it is not within the control of the community alone to action change, there needs to be a partnership approach to tackling this problem. In order to promote regeneration and sustainability, The South Hams Community Strategy gives priority to the improvement of levels of prosperity of businesses located in the area – in other words, ‘money will beget money’. This will only be accomplished by raising income levels (which are some of the lowest in the UK), making improvements to infrastructure such as developing a better road and rail network, creating more sites for business expansion, re-shaping public transport, expanding IT communications, and increasing access to job and training opportunities to strengthen the skill base of the local work force. The economy also needs to respond to the needs of young people living in the area by providing opportunities to take up employment in local high value-added industry. Other issues relating to the economic vitality of the town and consequently increased prosperity can be tackled through community action - businesses working together can increase the length of visitor stay and spend within the town. It is estimated that 64% of the working population in the South Hams is employed in the service sector, which is highly tourism related. The South Ham’s market and coastal towns are a prime focus for their rural hinterlands but they experience problems in maintaining a competitive advantage. Community-led partnership action is required to stimulate business growth, build upon and add value to the local assets such as the built and natural environment without, at the same time, damaging that asset. It is estimated that 64% of the working population in the South Hams District is employed directly or indirectly in the service sector, which is highly tourism related. According to the South Hams District Council Tourism and Marketing Strategy, the area mainly appeals as a tourist destination to couples and families. A high proportion of visitors are aware of the South Hams area as a holiday destination before they visit and mostly travel independently by car. The main leisure pursuits they enjoy are walking around the local towns and surrounding countryside, eating out and shopping. Although more than one third of all visitors are completely satisfied with their visit, others have voiced dissatisfaction, the main issues being poor signage, traffic congestion, the need for cheaper car parking and better public transport facilities. This highlights the need for Totnes to expand its appeal as a tourist destination by further capitalising and adding value to the attractions tourists and visitors engage with. Totnes as a retail centre has a great advantage in its wealth of independent retailers - this is a considerable visitor attraction and should be capitalised upon. The Priorities are: • Capitalising on existing visitor numbers, increasing visitor stay and therefore spend. A385 is the third most congested roads in Devon – Traffic flows through Totnes (Brutus Bridge): January: – 14033 vehicles (east & west total)
The provision of affordable housing is one of the highest priorities for the community of Totnes and the surrounding area, reflecting the needs and priorities of South Devon as a whole. Without a range of affordable accommodation communities become unbalanced - children are forced to move away from their home communities and young families have to move away from established support systems; the cost is not just a financial one - there is a greater social cost. Ordinary people can’t afford to buy a house in their own community - how can the Plan help tackle this problem? A number of projects are included in the plan which seek to coordinate the development of innovative, affordable and sustainable housing solutions on a local level. These projects seek to complement the affordable housing policies of South Hams District Council. Opportunities for satisfactory employment and affordable housing are inextricably linked – without access to affordable and well-designed housing the area will fail to keep and attract the key workers it needs. There is a need to close the gap between a high demand and low supply. What are the underlying issues? Firstly, house prices in the area have risen sharply in recent years. Low average incomes in the district of £17000 p.a,. place many properties beyond the reach of most local people. This is a particular problem in the public sector where there is a discrepancy between national wage structures and local house prices. Secondly, there is a high volume of second homes in the area – 11% of the total number of properties in South Hams are second homes. Thirdly, the private rented sector is small and expensive, with social housing making up less than 10% of the housing stock of the district, of which a 1/3 is housing for older people. Finally, there is a shortage of land for development until the South Hams Local Plan to 2011 is adopted. Sustainable affordable housing will mean building today while thinking about the implications for the future, i.e. building something that will not have a negative impact on future living. It is also about building communities that support each other and creating a community environment, which is not narrowed down to one social use or building type. Housing that allows for a mixed community will probably provide a better balance because it will offer the opportunity for all the sorts of people that are needed to make the community work, to live in close proximity to each other. The priorities are: • To secure a sustainable level of affordable housing for local people;
Two groups in particular were highlighted through the consultation as having a range of unmet needs. Young people in the town and surrounding area do not have a dedicated space as a focus for their activities. In addition, and a cause of great concern, is the lack of a centre where young people can access help and support on a variety of issues. The community recognises that young people are its future, and many of the projects addressed in the plan cover issues of importance to young people. Another sector of the community affected particularly by the inadequate provision of services is that of older people. The South Hams Community Strategy wants to achieve: ‘Equity of access to services, where no individual will feel disadvantaged because of where they live or because of their circumstances’. As already discussed in this document, a market town functions as a focus for growth in areas which need regeneration and more generally as a service centre and hub for the surrounding areas, playing a critical role in helping rural communities to thrive and to regenerate areas, which are in a deprived condition. It is not only the access to services in Totnes itself that is an issue, but also how services are made available and delivered between the town and its surrounding rural hinterland. The priorities are: • Identify and target support to the communities and residents most in need,
Heritage and culture is about what makes a place and its people different from other places and people. Totnes is rich in heritage and has fostered a strong tradition of culture in its widest sense – arts, literature and science. Culture could almost be regarded as a social habit of the town. However, there is room for the township to explore a fresh interpretation of what it has to offer and how to deliver this asset. The future prosperity of Totnes is inextricably linked to this rich tradition. By capitalizing on this unique heritage, the future for the community can be safeguarded. Recent publicity has named Totnes one of the funkiest towns in Britain but many opportunities to make the most of this reputation remain untapped. A fresh understanding of who is its tourist audience will help develop this further. For example, there is the cultural tourist who is prevailingly of a ‘certain age’, professional, intellectual, on a good income, likes travelling and looks for good food and accommodation. They are inclined towards the smaller destinations, and enjoy museums, art galleries, festivals, performances and courses. Above all, they look for authenticity and like to experience the place and its people. Within this group of people there is also a younger market to be attracted. However it is important to remember that the heritage, arts and culture of Totnes should be accessible to all members of the community and the needs of tourism should be balanced against the needs of the resident population as a whole. The need for an easily accessible cultural meeting/exhibition space in the centre of the town has been clearly expressed. If carefully managed there is no reason why the economic benefits associated with increased tourism should not help to meet the needs of the local community. Today English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund work from a broad definition of heritage, which not only includes the tangible heritage such as historic buildings, collections, landscapes, and archaeological sites, but also includes the intangible: shared memories, experience and identity, and what is considered valuable to pass on to future generations. This broader interpretation of heritage not only gives opportunities for bringing communities together but also actively seeks to break down the barriers, which have traditionally excluded certain social groups from engaging with heritage facilities and experiences. These include disabled people, socially disadvantaged people, children and young people, families, low achieving households and ethnic minorities. The Heritage Lottery Fund now looks for heritage projects to create: • Sustainable, liveable places – repairing and giving new uses to historic buildings, green spaces and other public spaces, often with community involvement; Of the 438 Listed Buildings in the Parish of Totnes, 412 are included in the Conservation Area. Exactly half of them (206) actually front the continuous thoroughfare of Bridgetown, Fore Street, High Street and Cistern Street, while at least a further 78 are easily viewed from it. Undoubtedly, these numbers represent one of the most, if not the most, impressive concentrations of listed buildings in any English country town. Finally, in terms of building and development in relation to heritage, South Hams District Council is presently preparing a Character Assessment of Totnes for publication. A character assessment is a document, which assesses the character of an area and then lays down a series of recommendations that are finally drawn together to produce a Character Statement. A character statement encourages good design by analysing the characteristic style of a settlement and suggests ways in which it might be applied to all future building and landscape activity in that place. It demands a harmony between traditional and new building that will enhance both the appearance of the environment and community life. This document recommends that all future heritage projects should use the character assessment and character statement as a frame of reference as they become available. The publication of this document is a positive step forward and will integrate with the work of the Heritage groups in Totnes.
Totnes’s environment is one of its key assets. It is important for those living and working in the area but also essential for its position as a visitor destination. The quality of the environment is also essential for those plants and animals living in the area and it is clear that the community places the maintenance and improvement of the quality of the environment high on its agenda. The environment of Totnes is important for the quality of life of residents of all kinds and as an income generator for the town and the surrounding area. Environment is a key priority for Totnes, and is inextricably linked with its culture. The environment is more than just a philosophical issue. The town’s appeal and future prosperity depends upon environmental projects being relevant and well directed. Central Government’s push to integrate social, economic and environmental issues has been important and necessary. However, as a consequence, environment as a distinct theme in national, regional and local strategies has been, in recent years, subsumed into issues such as ‘liveability’. It has lost some of its wider implications such as climate change, waste, water pollution, green space and the impacts of resource usage, which all need to be re-emphasised. Totnes (and its hinterland communities) has held a passionate tradition of interest and pioneer thinking with regard to these issues over many years. Careful use of natural resources and environmental protection are in reality integral to economic development and social cohesion. Local environment projects focussed on creating physical environmental improvements can also offer an effective setting for social and democratic renewal and empower local actions. Environmental projects can help reverse social exclusion. As social exclusion is a localised issue, so the degree of exclusion of individuals and households is intimately connected to the quality of the neighbourhood – its social networks or lack of them, its environment, schools, transport facilities and the quality of its shared spaces. This connects exclusion to the environment, social care and quality in the experience of the buildings, spaces, greenery, paths and roads. Totnes already has a number of established environmental projects which clearly demonstrate the community's ability to work in partnership with local, national and transnational organisations to secure funding for innovative projects. |
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Click here for Contents, Foreword & 1.0 Introduction Click here for 3.0 An Analysis of Totnes, 4.0 Projects & 5.0 Next Steps |
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