Last year a Community-led group made up of local organisations put together a questionnaire for Chorleywood residents.
It included 27 questions covering a range of local topics, with the intention of drafting a Community Plan using the responses.
Below are some of the results. A full report can be found on the Chorleywood Parish website and paper copies of the report can also be obtained from the Parish office.
Respondent Demographics
The split between online responses and paper replies was almost exactly 50:50, as was the division between male & female respondents.
20% were under 44 years old; 37% were 45-64 years, and 42% were over 65.
(1% declined to say).
The Common
97% of respondents use the common and 96% wishing to see it protected for future generations, closely followed by River Chess walks and other woodlands & open spaces.
14% visit the Common to see the cows, considerably more than those who ride horses.
Future Development
93% wish to see the Green Belt protected, and 74% want to see no further development upon it.
That said, if development were to take place,
smaller & affordable housing is the most popularly requested choice for new housing,
with 97% opting for brownfield sites to be used.
Crime & Security,
Speeding is the largest single concern for 53%, closely followed by burglary & bogus callers.
Encouragingly, personal safety is the least concern & 12% indicated no concerns at all.
93% find the presence of Chorleywood’s two PCSOs to be reassuring.
The Village Centre
The top request is for flowerbeds & baskets, closely followed by the removal of litter and unnecessary street signage & furniture.
59% of respondents would like there to be a greater variety of shops in the village, and 27% would like more pubs or restaurants.
27% requested no change at all to the village
97% feel the retention of Chorleywood’s Post Office is important; 91% feel similarly about the Library,
whilst 70% feel a public toilet is important.
Leisure Facilities,
Overwhelmingly the first choice is for cycle paths (48%),
followed by a Community Centre & gym facilities.
Play area Debate
Of those offering an opinion 48% agreed that play facilities were adequate, 52% disagreed.
The results to this question varied widely across age brackets.
Traffic & Transport
23% feel there is enough parking.
It would appear there is ample room for improvement in the provision of public transport serving Chorleywood, with 54% feeling there are insufficient fast Metropolitan trains to London, only 12% agreeing there is a good local bus service,
74% say they would use a direct Metropolitan line link to Watford if it were available.
Pedestrian Safety
49% would like to see provision for walkers on Shepherds Bridge;
68% feel there should be a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Common Road with the A404;
72% wish to see speed limits reduced to 20mph outside schools and shopping areas.
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