Kirdford Neighbourhood Development Plan - South Downs National ...

Kirdford NDP
Issue: Social and demographics
In line with the rest of the District, Kirdford Parish has a predominantly ageing population, with
41.5% of its residents being over 60 years old and a further 27.3% being over 45 years old. The
Parish could therefore have a large majority of residents over the age of 60 in the next 10-15
years. Retaining the 24% of youngsters within the community and attracting new young people
will be critical to the village's sustainability in the medium term. The provision of suitable
housing, schooling and other facilities in the locality is therefore an immediate requirement, as
is the provision of employment opportunities in the local area. Provision of housing for the
elderly will also be essential to ensure a churn of existing housing stock, along with the
provision of elderly care and support facilities and services.
Objective 1: improve opportunities for local people to live in the Parish
1.1 Encourage and support the provision of affordable housing for young and elderly persons
with a local connection, by providing housing policies, in the Plan, to prioritise such provision.
1.2 Include a housing allocation policy in the Plan, which prioritises persons with material local
connections to work and live in the Parish.
1.3 Identify a site in the Plan to establish a combined and sustainable social centre, with care
facilities for the elderly and recreational and sports facilities for all age groups. Include an action
in the Action Plan and provide a policy to support such development and land use.
1.4 Promote and seek to enlarge or develop new provision of local schools and youth activity
centres or organisations in conjunction with adjoining Parishes. Provide for this in the Action
Plan.
1.5 Provide for a policy in the Plan to prioritise funding to contribute to the delivery of a social
hub and related facilities in the Parish.
Issue: Economic activity and employment
Currently, 50% of residents are in full time employment and three quarters of those residents
commute to work outside of the Parish. The remainder are home workers or in employment
within the Parish. Whilst a third of those commuting travel less than 10 miles to work, it is
evident that there is an underlying need for residents to commute if they are to benefit from
being in employment. Given the wide and varied range (over 30) of industries that residents are
involved with, there are a number of sustainability benefits to be gained from increasing local
employment opportunities and facilitating home or shared working facilities in the Parish.
The key factors that would facilitate growth of local economic activity and employment in
Kirdford's rural location are considered to be:
• Increased Broadband capacity.
• Shared office/workshop facilities.
• Establishment of Co-operative organisations in the area.
• Increased promotion and awareness of the benefits of home/local working.
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