Hilton Parish Plan

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Hilton's character

23. Most people (74%), when asked 'How would you like Hilton to develop?' said they wanted the village to 'stay as it is'.  On the other hand, 25% would like it to develop as 'a working community'.  Some 7% of respondents supported the encouragement of light industry and 34% would like to see the development of small workshops. There were also comments about the lack of workplaces in the village now, and the need for it to develop as an integrated community of homes and work places.  The steering committee recognised that answers to this question were polarised.  To a degree, they constitute a conflict of views that cannot readily be reconciled.  We judged that for the village literally to 'stay as it is' is not an option; communities have always evolved and will continue to.  Our Action Plan therefore seeks to identify ways in which Hilton might develop that accord with people's wishes, while acknowledging the importance they attach to safeguarding the village's most valued features and characteristics.

(Click chart to enlarge in a new window)

Housing and other building

24. There is a widely expressed opinion that the village community is unbalanced as a consequence of the biased development of expensive housing. There is a call for a more balanced community, which will be dependent on a planned mix of any future building.  There were also comments about an apparent lack of attention to the VDS when planning applications are considered and the absence of a 'strategic plan' for Hilton's development.

25. The future should be for a more mixed community, with special emphasis now on the young and the old. There should be opportunities for the sons and daughters of the village to continue to live in the village when they leave the parental home and they should have better access to a property ladder in the village. In this way there would be the possibility of village families once more being established. 

26. Low cost housing is needed for first-time buyers, retired people and those on low incomes, together with housing for the elderly and the disabled.

27. Sixty-two (16%) of the 387 dwellings in Hilton were built as Affordable (Local Authority or Housing Association) Housing, of which apporximately half have subsequently been bought privately.  Consequently the stock of Affordable Housing (strict sense) in the village is about 8% in total, compared with the 29% target set out in the Huntingdonshire Local Plan Alteration "Affordable Housing" chapter 3, Policy AH4.

28. Some 60% of respondents supported the provision of 'affordable housing' within the village, but it is not certain that many people are aware of the strict definition of  'affordable housing' – which is: 'housing affordable to those householders who cannot either rent or purchase housing on the open market'. It seems likely that most people took this question to mean low cost, affordable housing for those groups described in Para 26.  The Group considered that a balance of both Affordable Housing (strict sense) and low cost housing is needed, and should be given priority, even on small plots (as one or the other), over the expensive housing now being allowed.

29. Any significant increase in Affordable or inexpensive housing would have implications for the provision of services and workplaces.

30. There were comments about community buildings, which were generally considered to be adequate now, but about which there were concerns for the future. Extreme views were expressed for and against further development of the community buildings, but it was evident either way that decisions should be made now for the next ten years and any potential locations identified.

31. As a result of all these concerns, it is suggested that the Parish Council, in consultation with the District Council, should draw up a Strategic Plan for the future development of the village, incorporating a map showing areas for different kinds of development, including services and workplaces, together with areas that should be retained as open space.  The Parish and District Councils are urged to attach continuing importance to the Village Design Statement.

The Village Hall

Shops and services

32. Many people would like to see more shops and services, including a school and a medical centre.  Whilst these are not an immediate prospect, it is not too soon for planners to consider now for (say) 2015 where they might be built. Unfortunately, several of the more obvious locations for them have recently been built on.