Consultation Process
There have been difficulties in naming this area, which is an amalgamation of two neighbourhoods that feel themselves to be distinct. Discarded suggestions include Campion Drive and Viney Avenue, Harefield and Campion Drive, and Eastern Romsey.
Phase 1: Getting to know the area:
2004/5
Initial step June: Letter sent to the few Romsey and District Society members in the area asking for help with the project. None responded.
Leaflet June: Delivered to each household (644), inviting residents to inaugural meeting at Woodley Village Hall. 2 letters received.
Meeting 23 June: Inaugural meeting. 5 people present.
Letter to residents: July delivered to each household by 4 people.
Preparation of Questionnaire: June and July by working group of 8
Guided walks July: Two guided walks around the area each lasting about 1½ hours, one to the east and the other to the west. Total attendance 11.
Preparation of Questionnaire: July/August: 7 people involved at 3 meetings
Questionnaire: Delivered to each household August, 74 replies by 25th September.
September: Every answer to every question typed into Access database.
Preparation for Exhibition:
The answers to each question were analysed and a summary made. The exhibition was prepared and each display board planned with words and pictures.
Exhibition November An afternoon and evening at Woodley Village Hall. 40 people attended.
Phase 2: Preparing the Statement: 2004/6
A series of 7 meetings were held in which the contents of each section of the Statement were discussed. Individual members of the group drafted different sections. These were amalgamated and then, in their length was balanced and duplication removed. About 5 people were actively engaged in the process. When the words were agreed upon, a copy was sent to TVBC Planning Dept for their observations. The suggestions were discussed and largely accepted. Those matters deemed not to be design were removed to an appendix. Once the words were agreed, pictures were added. Photographs were taken by 3 members of the working party.
After the initial reduction of text length, most of the versions resulted from as re-ordering or rewording it. The statement underwent a series of revisions and the final version was number 9. Each time it was necessary to make changes of text or layout, a new version was created in order to leave a trail. Changes in layout were also given separate version numbers. For example, when the layout was changed from one column to two a new version number was created. The same is true when the words had been agreed and the pictures were added.
The non-design issues that were raised during the consultation processes will form the basis of letters to be sent to the area’s relevant councillors and other officials. Some matters have also been raised by residents in neighbouring areas, but separate letters from each area will reinforce matters of widespread concern.
When the final draft had been prepared, a leaflet was delivered to each household advising residents that copies of the design statements were available for free collection. About 100 were taken up. Additionally people were observed reading copies in such places as the fish and chip shop, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the library. Copies were sent to councillors and others (see list in connection with Overview).
4 written comments were received commenting on the statement making 14 specific comments between them. These included an explanation of the necessity of the wooden fence in Winchester Road to the east of Viney Avenue
Final meeting: 10 February 2006: 5 people attended and the comments were discussed. As a result a few changes to wording were made to the Design Statement and some to the non-design issues especially in regard to traffic management.
