MERRIOTTVILLAGE PLAN

January 2007

Page 2

FOREWORD

The first meeting to develop a Merriott Village Plan was held in December 2004. ASteering Group composed of interested residents, including two Parish Councillors, wasformed in March 2005, after a well attended village consultation in January. The Group

is independent with its own terms of reference and sources of funding. It has kept the ParishCouncil informed of its affairs.

The Group prepared a Vision Statement for its activities which reads

‘ We want to enhance and develop Merriott as an economically active and sociallyinclusive community; proud of its past and hopeful for the future. We want Merriottto be a living village with high quality local facilities and services, where people arehappy to live in a safe and pleasant environment.’

Some changes in Merriott will be forced by circumstances outside the village but otherscan be achieved by the residents and by the Authorities and Agencies which serve them.As resources and opportunities become available so the Village Plan indicates how theresidents wish them to be used. Much can be achieved by the residents’ own efforts anddetermination. Please give your village and the Plan your support.

THE VILLAGE OF MERRIOTT

Merriott, the largest village inSouth Somerset, existed inRoman times and ismentioned in the DomesdayBook. Its main street is anold Roman road which joinsthe Fosse Way about 1 mileto the NW. Its namewas originally Maergaetmeaning ‘Boundary Gate’and at one time it had thenickname ‘Little Ireland’because of the number ofIrish labourers who lived inthe village and worked onthe building of the railwaysand in the flax mill. Merriott lies 2 miles north of Crewkerne and extends over 3 miles from NE to SW and 2 milesfrom east to west at the widest point. In area it extends to over 2700 acres and has anumber of farms within its boundary. In the centre of the village is an open green space of20 acres. The highest land is Egwood hill at 250 feet. Gould’s Brook, which rises inCrewkerne, flows through the village and into the river Parrett within the parish. The ParrettTrail also goes through the village. Merriott had a population of 2020 in 2001(Somerset County Council). In the Census for thatyear, the age spread of residents then was 21% under 20, 50% aged 21 to 59 and 29% over60. A majority (52%) of residents had lived in Merriott for more than 15 years. The village has a number of local services including a garage, petrol station, butcher,general stores, post office, toiletry shop, fish and chip shop and public houses, plant nurseriesand a pottery. More general services including doctors are available in Crewkerne. There is a pre-school and a first school, a church, a chapel, a village hall and tithe barn, asports ground and bowling green, squash courts and a social club. A village Information

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. South Somerset District Council. Licence No. LA100019471-2007

Page 3

Centre has recently opened. Secondaryeducation is provided in Crewkerne.Whilst there are bus services from the villageto Crewkerne, Yeovil, Ilminster and Taunton,residents are very dependent on privatecars for getting to work, college, shops, trainservices, health and leisure facilities.

PLAN PURPOSE

A Village Plan is intended as a statement of the future of a community as determined bythe residents for the next 10 to 20 years. Its purpose is to guide central Government, LocalAuthorities and other Agencies with resources, to those changes in the built environment,the general environment and the services, which the residents wish to see so that thequality of life in the community is improved. The Plan has been presented to the ParishCouncil and it has its support and commendation. It is a Plan for action. Some changes can be achieved quickly. Indeed a few changes havealready been implemented. Others will take longer, and Action Groups will be needed tomake them happen.The size of Merriott is unlikely to change much in the next few years, but Crewkerne isplanned to grow by 40%. This has consequences for services and facilities available toMerriott residents. During the last two years a Plan called ‘A Better Crewkerne and District’(ABCD) has been prepared and some of the aims identified there have implications forMerriott. The Merriott Village Plan Steering Group has been involved in the preparation ofthe ‘ABCD’ so that the Merriott Plan and the ABCD are intended to be complementary.

HOW DID WE DEVELOP THE PLAN?

The Merriott Village Plan Steering Group received views from several sources and is verygrateful to all those who responded to consultations and questionnaires. The views ofresidents were gathered in the following consultations;

• An open day and discussion for residents to comment – January 2005 – over 200attended;

• Discussions with groups of Merriott children in the village school, Wadham andMaiden Beech Schools;

• Discussion with the Headmistress and Chair of Governors of the village school: • Discussions with elderly residents in residential homes and sheltered housing; • A discussion with residents interested in walking in the village;• A business questionnaire – 190 were circulated and 18 responded;• A general questionnaire to all 850 properties – 547 households (64%) responded

representing the views of 1150 people; the age distribution of those whoresponded was very close to the age distribution of those in the census of 2001. 12% of those responded have a long term illness or restricted mobility. Results are shown below:

• The Steering Group also took note of District Council Local Plans in respect ofplanning control, conservation areas, and playing fields. Correspondence wasexchanged with the South Somerset Primary Care Trust and a Crewkerne MedicalPractice about medical and dispensing provision for Merriott.

25%

22%

23%

30% Age groups of Planresults submitted

Under 2525 - 4545 - 60over 60

30%

23%

25%

22%

Under 2525 - 4545 - 60over 60

Page 4

THE WAY FORWARD

The proposed quick wins and action plans, which follow, are those which you the residentssaid you want.

Background

Merriott has a main road (Broadway), onthe western side of the village, which is avery busy thoroughfare. From this roadthere is circular route around the older partwhere most of the houses are of localhamstone. There are two conservationareas and a substantial number of listedproperties. Many cottages have beenextended by incorporating the adjacentproperty. There are several modern estateswhich have greatly increased the trafficusing the village road system. Most of thestreets are served by a pavement. Manyproperties have no associated garage orparking area leading to a large amount ofresident street parking. The village has the benefit of manyamenities. There is a Church and GospelHall chapel. There is a Village School and apre-School. A Village Hall, Tithe Barn andSocial Club provide the space for a range

of leisure activities and meetings. The recreation ground has facilities for football, cricket,tennis, bowls, together with a children’s play area and an adventure playground.The village has two public houses, abutcher’s shop, a petrol station, a garage, apost office, grocer’s shops, a fish and chipshop, a toiletry shop, two potters and plantnurseries.

Consultation Findings

• Between 67% and 74% of residentsconsider The Church, the TitheBarn, the Village Hall as well as theRecreation Ground highlyimportant to the village.

• 63% consider the green areasshould be protected and 27% wishto have enhanced conservationareas.

• 56% consider converting emptybuildings to affordable housing orworkspace would be beneficial.

HERITAGE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

• 32% of residents would like tohave no further building in thevillage or to have any newbuilding limited to affordablehousing.

• Phone masts are not welcomedby 43 % of residents .

• Cardboard recycling is required(56%) as are more litter bins (40%)and dog litter bins (36%).

• 20% of people wished for publictoilets and bus shelters.

• Cycle racks at the recreationground (17%) and at the Co-op(15%) were requested.

• Benches around the villagewould be popular (26%) plusmore footpath signs (21%).

Objectives

• Support and improve thebuildings the village values highly.

• Draw up a list of priorityimprovements to the public amenities of the built environment

• Aim to improve and maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of the village• Consider the possibilities of improving the conservation areas and green spaces• Investigate the feasibility of utilising empty buildings for affordable housing or

workspace.• Oppose the placement of any phone masts.

Quick Wins

• Provide new benches.• Enhance the entrances to the Village. • Request green signs for road names to identify conservation areas

Action Plans

• Establish an Action Group toprepare a village designstatement.

• Produce a list of improvementsto the village built environment,prioritise the list and seek sourcesof funding. The list to include busshelters, cycle racks at the Co-op and the Recreation Ground,new benches and footpathsigns, improved tidiness to publicspaces and garden areas, andvillage entrances.

• Establish a group to list emptyand derelict buildings and to investigate the possibility of redeveloping them foraffordable housing or workspaces.

• Ask the District Council to include cardboard and plastic recycling in the weeklycollection system.

Page 5

The village lock up

Page 6

GETTING AROUND THE VILLAGE

Background

Merriott is a busy village with amain route, Broadway,c o n n e c t i n g Ye o v i l a n dCrewkerne to villages along theA303, and to Ilminster andTaunton.This carries a lot of through trafficwhich is in part controlled bycalming chicanes and two miniroundabouts. Driver frustration isoften apparent. Some of theother roads in the village arenarrow and winding.Street parking is widespreadleading to sight line problems fordrivers and to hazards forpedestrians, particularly thedisabled.Whilst the roads mostly havepavements, at least on one side, there are some important stretches without.

Consultation Findings

• A loading bay and parkingbehind the Co-op is muchdesired (50%).

• There is strong support (47%)for a pavement from theSchool to Newchester Cross

• 41% of residents consider roadsto be poorly maintained

• Dangerous parking has beenexperienced by 39% ofresidents, and aggressivedriving on Broadway by 35%.

• A 20 mph limit by the Schoolshould be installed (38%).

• 35% would like a “paintedpavement” on the bridge atMerriottsford

• Flooding in the road atMerriottsford (25%) and ice onFurringdon Road (20%) havebeen significant drivinghazards

• There is support (16%) for moredropped kerbs at the Co-opand the Post Office.

• 25% would like flashing speedsigns installed on Broadway.

Page 7

• There are minority views about thechicanes in Broadway with somepraising them (5%) for curbing speed,whilst others would prefer themreplaced by a Community speedwatch(17%) or speed cameras (13%).

Objectives

• Make it safer and easier for all to getaround the village by car, cycle, andon foot, whilst improving theappearance of the village.

• Seek to achieve higher safetystandards on village roads by enforcingexisting speed restrictions and theintroduction of a new 20mph speedlimit by the school;

Quick Wins

• Persuade the Co-op to submit a planning application for a parking andunloading bay behind the shop.

• Ask the County Highways to install dropped kerbs at the Co-op and Post Officeand on Moorlands Road as well as by the petrol station..

• Ask County Highways to put a “painted pavement” on the bridge at Merriottsford

Action Plans

• Take steps to persuade County Highways to install a 20mph speed limit at theSchool, to take action to reduce flooding on the road at Merriotsford and ice onthe Furringdon road, a pavement from the School to Newchester Cross, and toimprove generally the standard of footpath and highway maintenance.

• Consider the establishment of a community speedwatch.• Enforce existing speed and parking restrictions.

Background

The 850 properties in Merriott are amix of detached houses, farms,bungalows, semi-detached andterraced houses, and flats. Much ofthe housing is constructed ofhamstone though modern propertiesare of reconstituted stone, brick orrendered. Quite a lot of houses arelisted and date from the 17th and18th centuries, and a few evenearlier. Many houses were built in thecentre of the village in the last 50years and there is some modernsheltered housing. The majority (over

The village Lengthsman

HOUSING

80%) of properties are owner occupied andthere is a significant number of HousingAssociation rented properties (11%). About5% are privately owned and rented.

Consultation Findings

• 30% consider that few new housesshould be built in the village.

• Such properties as are built shouldbe affordable houses and sharedequity housing for younger peoplewho wish to stay in the village andare first time buyers.

• 14 % have had difficulty in finding affordable housing and 5% have had difficultyin finding rented accommodation.

• There is a very small need for 4 bedroom houses or for more sheltered housing.• Some properties are affected by vibration from traffic (6.7%) especially on

Broadway, by light pollution (3.4%), by flooding (1.4%), and by noise (2%) fromtraffic, dogs and bad behaviour.

Objectives

• Ensure that Merriott only haslimited housing development

• Make known the need foraffordable and shelteredhousing to the DistrictCouncil.

• Make known the problems oftraffic vibration, light pollutionand noise to the appropriateAuthorities and press forpossible remediation.

• Examine the causes offlooding to some propertiesand see if measures can betaken to reduce this hazard.

Action Plan

• Produce a report identifying key areas where traffic vibration and noise areproblems and present the findings to the County and District Councils and thepolice, and seek remedial action.

• Produce a report to identify lightpollution issues (much of itsecurity lights from neighbours)and discuss with the CountyCouncil the possibility ofreducing lighting at certain hoursand in certain locations

• Identify properties still at risk offlooding and discuss with theEnvironment Agency and theDistrict Council the possibility ofal leviat ion and defencemeasures.

Page 8

Background

Merriott has a range of retail and leisure servicesbut a large proportion of the population has totravel out of the village for a broader range ofthese services, as well as for work, healthcare andeducation. The nearest train station is inCrewkerne. There are public bus services to andfrom Crewkerne, Yeovil, Chard and Taunton aswell as a NIPPY bus. There is also CVS transport.The amount and speed of traffic on the mainthoroughfare (Broadway) through the villagegives rise to concern even though traffic calmingmeasures have been in place for at least 10 years.

Consultation Findings

• 89% of households own one or more motorvehicles.

• 77% of these vehicles are parked off road ondrives or in garages.

• 11% of households do not have their owntransport.

• 69% of people travel less than 10 miles to work.• Only 11% of people ever use the bus.

• For those who did not use public transport, 30% thought that timetables wereunsuitable, 15% thought journey times too long, 12% thought drop-off or pick-uppoints were inconvenient and 9% found it expensive.

• 39% had experienced dangerous parking but only 11 % wanted more parkingrestrictions or residents’ only parking

Objectives

• Aim to achieve improvements in timing, length of journey and frequency of busservices to and from the village, especially to Crewkerne and Yeovil; aim to havedirect bus services between Merriott and Crewkerne and Yeovil rather thancountryside tours.

• Aim to provide a ‘link bus’ service toCrewkerne station;

Action Plans

• Improve driving behaviour and parking inBroadway, by requesting a flashing speedsign supported by periodic “high profile”police enforcement.

• Publicise current public transport availabilityand lobby private and public transport bodiesfor the improvement of frequency anddestination choice to and from the village.

• Examine the possibility of extending theproposed transport link, from Crewkerne to itsrail station, to Merriott.

TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC

Page 9

Page 10

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Background

Most of the known 83 businesses in Merriott are small and employ a few people. There areestimated to be at least 400 jobs in the village. The majority of businesses expect to grow.Apart from the shops, farms and plant nurseries, there is a variety of enterprises involved inbuilding trades, design and craft work as well as support services for the finance and internetsectors. The largest employer, with 50 employees, is concerned with plastic mouldings. Themajority of employed persons travel out of the village for work, though the 2001 census saidthat 35% of residents work from home which is well above the national average.

Consultation Findings

• There is a shortage of modern adequate premises; 2 businesses have moved toCrewkerne in consequence.

• There is a shortage of affordable housing which makes recruitment difficult.• Businesses would like to see a major reduction in regulations (red tape) especially

applying to small enterprises.• Road access to the village is a major constraint on business development.• Need to maintain a full range of local services, including a Post Office• Need for better public transport to get employees to and from work • 63% of employed persons travel more than 5 miles to work.• There is a need for more flexi-time working and for work opportunities during

school hours. • There is a need for more childcare facilities to enable parents to get out to work

and working parents would appreciate jobs during school hours.

Objectives

• Prepare a comprehensivelist of village businesses forpublication of a villagedirectory.

• Take steps to ensure thesurvival of Post Officeservices in the village.

• Survey the needs of localbusinesses for premisesand services.

36%

15%

29%

14%

1% 5%

Full time

Part time

Retired

Full time education

Seeking work

Caring for home & family

Employment type ofresidents of Merriott

Full time

Part time

Retired

Full time education

Seeking work

Caring for home & family

29%

15%

36%

5%1%

14%

Page 11

• Explore the opportunities for therefurbishment of unused buildings assmall business premises

• Identify training needs and childcarefacilities for employees of localbusinesses and see whether theseneeds can be met locally.

• Discuss with the Somerset CountyCouncil whether road improvementsto the village are possible, withoutdetracting from the villageenvironment. This would improvebusiness development.

Quick wins

• Publish a Merriott Directory• Continue pressure for maintenance of

the Post Office• Discuss with the school the

opportunities for additional trainingand childcare facilities

Action Plan

• Set up a local business action groupto find funds for a business survey andthe development of a small businessassociation

• Persuade District and CountyCouncillors to get resources for abusiness building development review

• Survey business premises in the villageand examine possibilities of findingfunds for refurbishment.

Background

Merriott is at present served by two self-service general provision shops, abutcher’s shop, a Post Office, aToiletries shop, a Filling Station with ashop attached and also a Fish andChip shop. There is also a shop forchimneys and fireplaces, and farmsand market gardens which sellvegetables, farm produce and fairtrade groceries. Co-op and Somerfieldsupermarkets and a wider range ofshops are available in Crewkerne,where a new Waitrose supermarket isto be constructed soon

SHOPS AND SHOPPING

Merriott Pottery

The village is also served by a number ofbusinesses that sell garden items and by twopotters. There are also mobile shops for fish,ice cream, fruit and vegetables.

Consultation Findings

• The main food shop is done inYeovil by over 50% of the village, inCrewkerne by 21% and in Chardand Merriott by 11% each.

• The responses to the questionnaireindicated that some people dotheir main shopping where theywork as far afield as Gillingham,Bridport and Dorchester.

• Some respondees also mentionedthat they used supermarketdelivery services.

• The additional shopping facilitieswhich residents would like in thevillage included a Bakery (35%), acoffee/tea shop (28%), abarber’s/hairdressers (21%) and ahardware shop (15%).

Objectives

• Support and retain the existing shops within the village, including the Post Office.• Extend the range of shop services to include a bakery, a coffee/tea shop, a

barbers/hairdressers and a hardware shop, where feasible.

Action Plans

• Call a meeting of village shopand public house owners todiscuss the possibility ofbroadening the range ofproducts offered and of shoptypes.

• Advertise the need for theadditional shop services,particularly a bakery and atea/coffee shop, throughappropriate media.

• Include the above objectivesinto short and long termplanning by Local Authorities..

• Include the full range ofproducts and services currentlyavailable in existing shops in theproposed Merriott Directory.

• Actively seek support from LocalCouncils, The Royal Mail, andthe MP to maintain the PostOffice services in Merriott.

Page 12

Background

Communication in the village takes various forms. Notices on boards and lamp posts, inshop windows and in the two village publications, the Merriott Messenger and the Churchmagazine now called ‘The Link’ (published monthly) have all played their part. None ofthese sources has been comprehensive either in content or in coverage. Much newstravels by word of mouth

Consultation Results

• Merriott people rely on word-of-mouth to find out what is going on (48%).• Shop windows (44%) and The Merriott Messenger (42%), are the next most useful

sources of information.• The Parish Council Notice Board, mounted on the side of the Co-op shop vies with

lamp-posts (28% versus 27%) for the next most-used source of information withinthe village.

• 35% of people would like a monthly newsletter, and 33% are keen to have aVillage Directory of organisations, clubs, and businesses.

• 60% of households have internet access.

Objectives

• To improve communication throughout the village.• To encourage village participation in existing activities, and to promote new and

revived activities.• To support and promote our local businesses.• To retain traditional methods (paper-through-letter-boxes), and to work with the

Parish Council to introduce the use of Internet/email.

Page 13

COMMUNICATIONS

Page 14

Quick Wins

As a result of the consultations;• The Merriott Information

Centre next to theBroadway Petrol Stationhas opened. The officeis manned by volunteersto answer your queries.MP, David Laws, and theCommunity PoliceOfficer use it formeetings with residents.

• Under the auspices ofthe Parish Council andwith other sponsors’financial support, theMerriott Messenger willbe produced 10 timesper year and deliveredto all households.

• The Parish Council isstarting a village website.

• Publish an annual directory ofbusinesses, clubs and majorevents in Merriott—to includeemergency numbers, detailsof recycling centres, etc.

• Ideally, in conjunction with theParish Council, create adatabase for the village webs i te , compr i s ing theofficers/committee membersof the Parish Council andminutes of their monthlymeetings, village societies,clubs and organisations,schools, churches, and linkswith other related websites.

• Encourage regular contributionsto all available methods ofcommunications.

• Find sustainable means offunding these plans.

Action Plans

Page 15

Background

Merriott residents are served mainly by GP practices in Crewkerne, and to a lesser extent inSouth Petherton and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. GP’s do visit at home from Crewkerne. Hospitalservices are available in Crewkerne, Yeovil, and Taunton. Health services for older peopleare provided in Wincanton and Shepton Mallett.The Health Visitor from Crewkerne holds a baby clinic at the Village Hall for one hour once a month.There are two residential homes and sheltered housing for the elderly in the village anddistrict nurses support some of the healthcare needs of the residents here.Medicines can be collected by Red Cross volunteers for housebound, elderly and disabled people.‘Village Toiletries’ and the Co-op stock a range of non-prescription medications and alternativehealth remedies. Merriott has a team of ‘First Responders’ who attend health emergencies.

Consultation Findings

• There is substantial support (55%) for the establishment of a GP practice in the village.• A dispensing chemist was also a high priority (51%).• An NHS dentist would be very popular (45%).• There is no direct public transport to surgeries or hospitals. • 12% of residents have long term illness or restricted mobility• 11% want a Chiropodist and 8% a Health Visitor in the village.

Objectives

• Seek to establish a GP practice in the village.• Seek to have dispensing services provided to the village by one of the following

methods: a dispensary associated with the new GP practice, an existing retailer,or as a collection and delivery service from a dispensary in Crewkerne.

• Consider the inclusion of healthcare services in the Village School.

Quick Wins

• Publicise and expand the prescription pickup service.

Action Plans

• Continue discussions with the appropriate Primary Care Trust to seek the provisionof GP and dispensing services in Merriott as soon as possible.

• Make the MP, and Local Authorities aware of this aim and seek their support.• Form a Village Action group to campaign for a Health Centre.• Identify a definite site for a Health Centre.• Promote and support the CVS transport scheme, Merriott’s Red Cross team and

the First Responders.

Merriotts First Responders

HEALTH

Background

9.4% of the population is 7 years old or less. 8.5%are aged 8 to 15 and a further 6.6% are 16 to 24.The majority of those in education attendMerriott First School, or Maiden Beech orWadham Schools in Crewkerne. A few attendindependent schools and a few (less than 1%each) attend colleges in Yeovil and Taunton orgo to University and other forms of FurtherEducation.

Consultation Findings (based on Merriott children at Wadham andMaiden Beech)

• Over 90% of children go to school byschool bus. Only 25% ofschoolchildren use local buses forother destinations

• Children would like more buses to goto Yeovil, Ilminster and Taunton moreeasily. They would like these servicesat weekends and in the evenings tobe able to enjoy leisure activities.

• The majority of children in Merriott feel safe from traffic though a pedestriancrossing by the garage and at the Co-op would be desirable.

• Cycling around the village and the surrounding area is deemed easy but wellover 60 % asked for more cycle ways.

• Children at Wadham would like more advice on job opportunities and health.• About a third of the children surveyed would like to stay in the village when they

leave school.• Half the children at Maiden Beech thought the quality of life in the village had not

changed over the last 3 years and 35% thought it had got better.• Children in the village strongly indicated that improvements in the village should

include a youth club (23% ofrespondents – mostly in the 8 to15 age group andpredominantly female). Theywould also like better playareas, public toilets, litter binsand public seating.

Objectives

• Make improvements to thevillage which make it a moreattractive place for youngpeople to live. This shouldinclude a youth club andactivities for the youngpeople who live in Merriott.

Page 16

YOUNG PEOPLE AND EDUCATION

• Develop a means of communication with village young people to maintain adialogue and to understand their needs.

• Make the survey views of Merriott children available to the Head Teachers ofMerriott First School, Wadham and Maiden Beech.

• Assess the transport needs of young people which are not currently met.

Quick Wins

• Communicate the results of the survey to the Head Teachers of local schools.• Improve the play areas on the Recreation Ground.

Action Plans

• Seek the installation of pedestriancrossings at the garage, by therecreation ground and by the Co-op.

• Set up an Action Group to support anddevelop a greater range of youthactivities, a youth club and/or an ArmyCadet Force in the village.

• Establish a means of regularcommunication with young people.This might be a Youth Council andcould be associated with a similarventure in Crewkerne.

• Set up an Action Group to consider theprovision of more cycle ways and todiscuss this matter with Sustrans to see ifa link to area cycle ways is possible.

• Assess the need for adult educationprovision and explore the means bywhich it may be provided locally.

Page 17

Page 18

COMMUNITY SAFETY

Background

Merriott is served by a Police Constable based atCrewkerne who covers a very wide area. Thereare currently two Community Police SupportOfficers also based at Crewkerne who visitMerriott when requested and at other times.They hold a 2 hour Police Drop-in Surgerytwice a month at the Village InformationCentre where anyone may attend withproblems or enquiries. Since it began in July2006 problems including, parking, anti-socialbehaviour, vandalism, assault, speeding andNeighbourhood Watch have been addressed.

Consultation Results

• The overall picture is one of a population whichfeels secure in the village, with some concerns about trafficspeeds. Some of the adults have concerns about safety at night.

• 55% would like to see more police on the beat in the village.• 38% of households would like to expand the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.• 30% would like improved footpath lighting and 20% improved street lighting as

measures to prevent crime.

Objectives

• Maintain a regular police presence in the village.• Expand the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.• Reassure residents who perceive there is a

threat.• Inform residents of crime prevention methods.• Improve road and pedestrian safety.• Improve street and footpath lighting without

compromising the rural character of thevillage.

Quick Wins

• Include safety and police news in the MerriottMessenger.

Action Plans

• Organise a Police public relations day at theVillage Hall to advise about security and othermatters.

• Promote the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme • Improve footpath and street lighting.• Request the school to become more involved in safety education.• Give the Community Support Officers opportunities to be more visible in the village

through invitations to village events e.g. football, fete, church festivals.

Community Police Support Officer

LEISURE AND AMENITY

Background

There are at least 20 well supportedactivities in the village. They covervarious interests such as scouts, guides,majorettes, youth & senior football,tennis, squash, cricket, green and shortmat bowls, computer training, skittles &pub quizzes, a book club, and walkinggroup. The village has a RecreationGround owned by the Parish Council,which is used heavily throughout theyear. There is one senior full sizedfootball pitch & two smaller juniorpitches. Cricket is also played during the

summer. The sports pavilion isbeing replaced by a new onewhich it is hoped will beavailable about the end of2007. There are two tennis courts,which have been enlarged,cleaned and painted, so thatthey comply with the minimumsize required by the LawnTennis Association. Low powerfloodlighting will be installed sothat the courts will serve a dualpurpose - tennis during thesummer months and footballtraining during the winter.A full size bowling green islocated next to the tenniscourts. The Bowling Club hasbeen in existence since 1934.

There is a Village Hall,suitable for a range ofact iv i t ie s inc lud ingdrama, badminton, shortmat bowls, meetings andsocial events. There is theTithe Barn also suitablefor badminton, meetingsand other events. TheParish Church is also usedfor social events.The Social Club provides afamily atmosphere, whereparents can take theirchildren to social functions.

Page 19

It provides a venue for skittles, pool, karate, groupentertainment and parties. There is a large screenTV, which provides the opportunity for people tofollow football and other sports.The Swan & Kings Head pubs provide pubquizzes and skittles, and also cater for meals.The Kings Head has a pool table, and a dartboard.There is also a squash club, a model aeroplaneclub and a gun club in the village.

Consultation Findings

• Merriott is the second most deprivedvillage for sports pitches in the SouthSomerset District Council area.

• The Recreation Ground (74%), theChurch and the Tithe Barn (68%) andthe Village Hall (67%) are all deemedas very important to the village.

• In addition to the existing facilities,protection of open and green spacesis considered very important by63%

• There i s genera lsatisfaction about therange o f ava i lab leactivities in the village.

• 50% of residents would liketo see more whole villageevents with only 33% havingno opinion.

• A Summer Fete (59%), a Street Fair(54%) and a firework night (44%)were the most popular new events.31% expressed an interest in helpingwith such events.

• 58% would find evenings andweekends the best time for activityparticipation.

• Several activities would be ofinterest to about 10% of the villageand these included a fitnessequipment centre, a film club, atheatre club, an arts and crafts club,a gardening club and a local historygroup.

• Few villagers know of the Mark WallisParish Wood near Egwood

Page 20

Objectives

• Aim for improvements to theRecreation Ground, includingthe provision of additionalfootball pitches and parking.

• Improve awareness of existingvillage activities and advertisethe interest expressed in newactivities

• Take steps to conserve andenhance village green spacesand the Mark Wallis ParishWood.

• Encourage the development ofwhole village events including afirework night, a street fair and aSummer fete.

• Provide allotments in the village.

Quick Wins

• Advertise the existing clubevents more widely through theMerriott Messenger and othermeans

• The Par i sh Counc i l hasrefurbished tennis courtsavailable this year.

• The Parish Council will renovatethe young children’s play areathis year.

• The Parish Council will refurbishthe assault course with newclimbing nets, and the surfacewill be replaced with new bark.

• The Doug Cable Stand at theRecreation Ground is beingrefurbished.

• The Par ish Counci l hassponsored a successful fireworknight which it hopes will be anannual event.

Action Plans.

• Establish an Action Group toseek funding for the provision ofadditional pitches, primarily forfootball in the village andimprovements to the RecreationGround; and investigate thefeasibility of a fitness centre.

• Consider the provision of litterbins and public toilets.

Page 21

• Hold discussions with theVillage Hall Committeeand other interestedgroups to stimulate newactivities identified bythe questionnaire;

a. Film Clubb. Gardening Clubc. Local History Societyd. Arts and Crafts Club

Where do we go from here?

Once the Plan has been presented to residents andthe Local Authorities, the Steering Group will disband.The Parish Council will then establish anImplementation Group involving members of theParish Council, the Village Plan Steering Group andother interested residents to carry the Plan forward.

The Implementation Groupwill also pick up, asappropriate, actions in the‘A Better Crewkerne andDistrict’ (ABCD) report,which affect Merriott.Action Groups will beneeded to take forward theActions set out in each

section of the Plan. Some actions have already started and others are proposed. Howeverthe more you get involved the faster work can progress. If any of the ideas appeal to you,please get in touch and volunteer your help. You will be made most welcome. Pleasecontact the Parish Council on 01460 78450.

Page 22

FUTURE ACTIONS

Supporting Material

Some of the supporting material for the preparation of the Plan, including the results of thequestionnaire, has been placed in the Village Information Centre, and with the ParishCouncil where it can be consulted.

Members of the Merriott Village Plan Steering Group

Margaret Barnes, Robin Barnes, John Bowman (Co-Chair), Peter Bryans,Cathy Herriman (Treasurer), Colin Hoggarth (Parish Councillor), Ann Lawrence (Co-Chair), and Mary Paull.

Acknowledgements

The Group would like to thank the Community Council for Somerset, the Department ofEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs, South Somerset District Council, Merriott Parish Counciland the Co-operative Society for their financial support, without which the Plan would nothave been produced. The Group also wishes to thank;The teachers and staff of Merriott First, Wadham and Maiden Beech Schools,Jeremy Dawson for help with the Business Questionnaire;Sue Cassell and the Walking Group;Carol and John Goldie, Simon Bending and Andrew Osborne and an army of villagers whohelped with the distribution and collection of the General Questionnaire;Phil de Caux, computer consultant, for help designing our interactive analysis website,www.xposition.co.uk;Susan Hastings for supplying some of the photographsThe printer for layout and printing of the questionnaire and the final report;

And YOU, the Merriott residents, for providing your views.

Page 23

GENERAL INFORMATION

Published by the Merriott Village Plan Steering Group. Printed by FWB Printing, Bennetts Mead, Southgate Road, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9EB