The chalk grassland which forms our downland is of particular conservation interest, particularly when it is unimproved. We have in the Parish one large (193.7 hectare) Site of Scientific Interest known as Brimsdown Hill, lying to the northwest of Kingston Deverill. The River Wylye and its banks, as well as substantial areas of downs and farmland, are designated as areas of high ecological value and sites of nature conservation interest.

Links:

• The Natural England map showing Brimsdown Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest
• The English Nature citation for the Brimsdown Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest

1. Traffic, including road safety on the B3095 and the reduction of HGV traffic
2. Conservation and restoration of the local environment, including its ecology
3. Mobile phone reception
4. Sustainability measures to protect the wider environment and impacts of climate change
5. Community facilities

1. Traffic, including road safety on the B3095 and the reduction of HGV traffic
2. Conservation and restoration of the local environment, including its ecology
3. Mobile phone reception tied witho sustainability measures to protect the wider environment and impacts of climate change
4. Community facilities

1. Traffic, including road safety on the B3095 and the reduction of HGV traffic
2. Mobile phone reception
3. Conservation and restoration of the local environment, including its ecology
4. Community facilities
5. Sustainability measures to protect the wider environment and impacts of climate change

Three roads pass through the Upper Deverills: the B3095 Longbridge Deverill to Mere Road, which runs through all three villages, the unclassified Kingston Lane, which leaves the B3095 in Kingston Deverill and goes to Maiden Bradley, and the Hindon Road, also unclassified, which runs from Monkton Deverill up Pen Hill to join the A350 Warminster to Shaftesbury road.

None of our three villages has any pavements, so the roadway is shared by pedestrians, riders, cyclists, farm vehicles, motor cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles.

In the 2014 Parish Plan traffic was rated the second highest area of concern, and there has long been a desire in the community to reduce the volume of traffic using the B3095 and to restrict heavy goods vehicles to those with destinations in the valley. In 2007 a Traffic Regulation Order was approved to impose a 7.5T weight restriction. This order was published in 2009, but the implementation was delayed by Wiltshire Council pending the upgrade of the A303 and a new junction with the A350. The Parish Council are in discussion with Wiltshire Council because the A303 upgrade is further delayed and the prospect of a new A350 junction is unlikely in the next decade. The new junction is regarded by Wiltshire Council as a precondition for the implementation of the 7.5T restriction on the B3095.

HGV traffic reduction and improved road safety on the B3095 were considered by the respondents to the 2022 questionnaire to be the highest priority in each of our three villages.

When asked whether the Plan should press Wiltshire Council and Highways England to increase the safety of users of the B3095, including the reduction of HGV traffic, the responses were as follows:

Many respondents added their comments and suggestions on the subject of traffic. They feel that road safety should be improved, to make the B3095 less dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and riders. This should be achieved by reducing the number of vehicles travelling through the valley, and reducing the speed at which they travel, whether they are goods vehicles, cars, or farm traffic.

There was significant support for a reduction in speed limits, particularly through the villages themselves, where several respondents felt that a 20mph limit would be appropriate given the lack of a pavement and the narrowness of the carriageway. It was also suggested that a 15mph limit should be imposed on the road from St Mary’s Church to the Gliding Club in Kingston Deverill.

Other measures to reduce speeding and better control traffic were also suggested, such as pinch points at the entry to the villages, speed bumps in the road, signage warning drivers of pedestrians and horses in the road, a weight restriction on the bridge in Brixton Deverill, improved visibility at junctions and stricter enforcement of existing speed limits. However, this must be weighed against a general opposition to a significant increase in road furniture and a strong view against street lighting.

It should be noted that the Upper Deverills Speedwatch team have been operating successfully for over a year and have succeeded in making a significant reduction to the number of vehicles breaking existing speed limits. The Speedwatch team would be well placed to enforce any reduced speed limits in order to give them maximum effect.

The question of the outstanding implementation of the 7.5T limit on the B3095 was raised once again, and it was proposed by some respondents that the Parish Council should test the claim that heavy goods vehicle traffic on the B3095 can only be reduced if the A350/A303 junction is upgraded. It is understood that this upgrade is unlikely before 2030 or beyond.

It was suggested that local car sharing might both reduce traffic and improve sustainability, and that a mechanism might be set up to support this.

Concern was also expressed about the state of the roads and verges. While the work of the Parish Steward in filling potholes and making minor repairs was much appreciated it was felt that, given more time and resources, he could achieve more and execute repairs to a higher standard, with tack coats, butt joints and more durable tarmac repair materials. It was observed that the roads seem to be cleaned less frequently by Wiltshire Council, which on occasion could make the state of the roads hazardous. There was a view that the road verges should be better protected in those places where they were vulnerable to damage by traffic and farm machinery.

Potholes can be reported to Wiltshire Council using their MyWilts online tool.

Link:

• MyWilts online reporting pot holes and fly tipping

The following outcomes are supported by the community:

• Action to make the valley’s residents feel safer (and be safer) from traffic, whether they are parents with young children, pedestrians (some of whom are elderly), riders, cyclists or runners.
• Implementation of the already-agreed 7.5 tonne weight restriction on through traffic on the B3095, leading to a reduction in the number of heavy goods vehicles using the valley roads as a short cut.
• An increase in car-sharing.
• Improvements to the repair and cleaning of the carriageway and to the protection of verges.
• Greater use of the MyWilts tool to report potholes and road damage.

• The Parish Council to continue to work with Wiltshire Council to achieve improvements to road safety on the roads of the Parish, including implementation of the already-agreed 7.5T weight restriction.
• Continued operation of the volunteer Community Speedwatch Group.

Our settlements are small and we live in a valley that is surrounded by high hills. These two factors combine to give us a problem with mobile telephone coverage: the network providers have to invest in new infrastructure in order to provide us with a service, but the financial return on their investment is likely to be small. The lack of mobile phone reception in our villages was ranked as the second highest priority overall. It was second highest in Kingston Deverill and third in both Monkton and Brixton Deverill.

In 2019 the Government announced initiatives to tackle poor mobile phone coverage in rural areas. Their declared aim is to bring 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK by 2025, tackling both Total Not-Spots (where there is no mobile phone coverage) and Partial Not-Spots (where not all networks can be received).

Upper Deverills is classified as a Partial Not Spot and the aim is to provide network coverage from all four mobile network operators on sites which are not currently served by all of them.

A number of utilities now assume that customers have access to mobile telephone coverage. Smart electricity meters, smart water meters and remote oil tank sensors all need a mobile signal, and therefore they are not available to many Upper Deverills residents.

The requirement for mobile coverage to every house in the Parish has been made more urgent by BT’s plan to switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 2025, to coincide with the introduction of their Digital Voice service. This will create a significant problem for us during power cuts. While the PSTN will continue to operate through a power cut, Digital Voice will not. For those households which lack any mobile telephone signal (perhaps the majority in the Parish) this leaves us without the ability to call 999 in an emergency. The loss of both landline and mobile connectivity would also lead to the failure of burglar alarms and monitered personal alarms for the elderly and infirm.

Although the network operators are obliged (by Ofcom, the communications regulator) to provide standby power to vulnerable customers for the first hour of any power cut, this will not suffice. The power cuts that affect our villages, particularly during extreme weather, often last for much longer than an hour. During the second and subsequent hours of a power cut, we will therefore be completely cut off from the emergency services. This is clearly not acceptable. We should lobby hard for the mobile network operators and the PSTN supplier (BT) to synchronise their programmes so that no household in the valley loses the ability to call 999 during an extended power cut.

In December 2021 the Parish Council designated a Councillor as lead for improving mobile phone coverage and he is working with two other individuals on the initiative.

When asked whether the Plan should seek to improve mobile phone coverage within the Upper Deverills the survey responses were as follows:

• Achieve 100% emergency mobile coverage of every household in the Upper Deverills before they lose access to PSTN (or conversely, to maintain PSTN capabilities until mobile coverage is available).
• Achieve 95% 4G mobile phone coverage of properties and highways within the Upper Deverills by at least two MNOs and preferably four.

• The Parish Council to continue to press for adequate mobile, landline and emergency communications coverage, including liaison with, and putting pressure on, the mobile network operators and BT. If satisfactory progress is not made, consider involving our MP and challenging effectiveness or adequacy of Government policy.

We live in a landscape that is still rich in flora and fauna. Nevertheless, species that were once common have declined significantly and some once common sights – such as lapwings – are absent. We who live in the valley appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us and therefore it is not surprising that nature conservation and restoration of the local environment, including its ecology, was ranked as the third highest priority in the questionnaire.

The Environment Act 2021 sets targets for the recovery of the natural world, including reversing the decline in species abundance. It sets in law new tools that will beused to deliver a Nature Recovery Network of wildlife-rich places, and gives local communities an important role in expanding, improving and connecting these places.

Responding to the Act, Wiltshire Council is publishing the Wiltshire Green Blue Infrastructure Strategy in Spring 2022. It will include a Community Environmental Toolkit which provides communities with guidance on how to produce their own Community Environmental Plans and play their part in reversing species decline and restoring habitats.

Links:

• The Environment Act 2021
• The Wiltshire Green Blue Infrastructure Strategy
• Wiltshire Council: Community Environmental Toolkit

When asked whether the Plan should propose how to monitor, promote the ecological health of the countryside, including biodiversity and habitat protection the responses were as follows:

The River Wylye, which is known as the Deverill while flowing through our three villages, is a chalk stream tributary of the Hampshire Avon. Although the river is home to much wildlife (including otters, water voles and kingfishers) its ecological status was assessed in 2019 as poor, and it failed the assessment of its chemical status, as a result of high concentrations of mercury and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).

Link:

• Wylye (Headwaters) Water Body – Environment Agency

When asked whether the Plan should propose how to monitor and improve the ecological health of the River Wylye the response was as follows:

• Accurate and comprehensive wildlife records giving us a deep and rich understanding of nature in the valley.
• An improved level of knowledge and understanding of wildlife, conservation and sustainability throughout the community.
• A reversal of species decline in the valley.
• Expanded, improved and better connected habitats.
• A healthy river, full of life.

• Set up an Upper Deverills Wildlife and Conservation Group, to organize talks and walks, conduct field studies, and carry out surveying and mapping, habitat restoration and species recovery projects. The Group should observe the Countryside Code and respect the rights of landowners.
• Create and carry out a Community Environmental Plan (the Conservation and Wildlife Group to lead).
• Improve the strength of our links with bodies such as the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty organisation, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Wiltshire Ornithology Society

The valley’s residents place a very high value on the charm and beauty of our villages. It is therefore not surprising that the subject of residential and commercial planning attracted a lot of interest from the residents who responded to the survey.

Local planning policy is set out in the Wiltshire Core Strategy Development Plan, which identifies four types of settlements. Under the Wiltshire Planthere is a general presumption against development in settlements that are not identified in the plan, such as the Upper Deverills. Our villages are even smaller than the “small villages” (such as Longbridge Deverill) that are the smallest communities in which any development is considered, except that “some very modest development may be appropriate at small villages, to respond to local needs and to contribute to the vitality of rural communities.

These limited exceptions include some which support agriculture or forestry. Another policy also allows for the development of small sites comprising affordable housing only as an exception to normal policies. The policy sets out the criteria against which such proposals will be evaluated and under what circumstances schemes solely for affordable housing may be permitted.

Because our Parish lies within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there is another layer of policy intended to preserve the character of our landscape. There is a comprehensive series of position statement and good practice notes intended to guide and support those who are working on, or considering, planning applications.

Link:
Cranborne Chase AONB planning publications

When asked whether the Plan should support housing developments in their village if they involve building on fields or open spaces the responses were as follows:

When asked whether the Plan should support housing developments in ther village if they involve building to infill gaps between existing buildings the responses were as follows:

When asked whether the Plan should support commercial or business developments in their village if they involve building on fields or open spaces the responses were as follows:

When asked whether the Plan should support commercial or business developments in their village if they involve building to infill gaps between existing buildings the responses were as follows:

To summarize these results: a clear majority of respondents opposed residential housing developments or commercial developments in their village if they involved building on fields or open spaces.

Opinion was fairly evenly divided on housing developments in their village if they involved building to infill gaps between existing buildings. Written comments favoured only those developments that were are natural evolution of the current built environment, with an emphasis on providing smaller affordable houses or bungalows as starter homes, or for valley residents to move into when they wish to remain in the valley but no longer need their larger houses. Some respondents wished resident’s planning applications to be considered sympathetically. There was a strong and widely view that any development should respect the character of our villages and should not greatly increase traffic.

A majority opposed commercial or business developments in their village if they involved building to infill gaps between existing buildings, but the strength of opposition varied between our villages, with the strongest opposition coming from Brixton Deverill. In Kingston Deverill the responses were much more evenly divided with a slight majority favouring some commercial or business development.

When asked whether the Plan should support planning applications that promote renewable energy the responses were as follows:

A majority of respondents agreed that the Plan should support planning applications that promote renewable energy. The strength of feeling appeared to vary substantially between the three villages, but the written comments on the survey and exploration of the topic at the public consultation led to the following conclusion: people across the three villages oppose wind farms or solar farms that are commercial ventures, but are in favour of domestic renewable energy solutions so long as they respect the character of the villages and landscape and comply with planning guidance and policy.

• Where development (whether residential or commercial) takes place, it must preserve the character of our villages and the natural beauty of the landscape.
• In particular, development of any kind should not involve building on fields or open spaces, nor should it result in an increase in traffic.
• Within these limitations, our villages should be allowed to evolve naturally and the built environment should respect the past without being overly constrained by it.
• Certain types of housing would be more welcome than others: such as starter homes for young families, and single storey houses suitable for older people to move into when they wish to downsize.
• There should be no wind farm or solar farm development in the Parish.
• There should be increased use of small-scale use of renewable energy solutions such as heat-pumps and domestic solar panels, where they do not conflict with the character of our villages.
• Residents’ planning applications should be considered sympathetically, on their individual merits, when they do not conflict with these principles.

The Parish Council should reflect the values and views expressed above above when responding to planning applications.

A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character, appearance or setting of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Conservation areas are normally designated by the local planning authority, Wiltshire Council.

Once designated, there are some extra planning controls and considerations in place to protect the historic and architectural elements which make the place special. As a result, they are most likely to affect work on the outside of properties. When a planning application is submitted for development in a conservation area, in dealing with it the planning authority is required by legislation to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) acknowledges that not all elements of a conservation area will necessarily contribute to its significance.

In a conservation area there are also more limitations on development, such as an extension to a house, that can be done without planning permission compared with other non-designated areas. In addition, there are further controls regarding demolition and works to trees with residents being required to notify the local planning authority six weeks before the work is undertaken. Designation is the formal process of Wiltshire Council establishing the conservation area and requires the process to be properly followed otherwise the designation could be challenged. But is it only the starting point of the council’s role in managing the new heritage asset.

Ideally prior to designation the local planning authority should carry out, or have carried out a Conservation Area Appraisal. This might additionally include a photographic survey of all buildings being included at the time of designation.

Following on from designation a Management Plan is the key tool for fulfilling the council’s duties to review the conservation area and its boundaries and formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of the area.

All properties within a conservation area are required to have this recorded as a local Land Charge. Residents and businesses in a conservation area need to know they may need permission from the Council before making alterations such as cladding, inserting windows, installing satellite dishes and solar panels, adding conservatories or other extensions, laying paving or building walls.

Brixton Deverill has been designated as a Conservation Area by Wiltshire Council. However, to date no Conservation Area Appraisal has been conducted, nor has a Conservation Area Management Plan been completed.

When the residents of Brixton Deverill were asked whether the new Parish Plan should propose how to secure a Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan to protect and enhance the Brixton Deverill Conservation area the response was strongly in favour.

Neither Monkton Deverill or Kingston Deverill are designated as Conservation Areas. When the residents of each village were asked whether the new Parish Plan should assess the desirability and feasibility of the designation of their own village as a Conservation Area, the responses were as follows:

Thus it can be seen that a majority of respondents in both Monkton and Kingston were in favour of an assessment of the desirability and feasibility of designation as Conservation Areas, but a significant number of respondents were not sure, or opposed to the assessment.

• Completion by Wiltshire Council of a Conservation Area Assessment and Management Plan for Brixton Deverill.
• Achievement of a clear understanding of the implications for residents of designation of Monkton Deverill or Kingston Deverillas a Conservation Area. Following this, if (and only if) a majority of residents in the village concerned wishes it, completion (by Wiltshire Council) of a Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

• The Parish Council should
  • catalyse the completion, by Wiltshire Council, of a Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for Brixton Deverill
  • communicate clearly to the residents of Monkton Deverill and Kingston Deverill the implications of designation as a Conservation Area.
  • take informal soundings from Wiltshire Council about their appetite to embark on the designation process.
• For Monkton Deverill and Kingston Deverill, given a positive outcome to the first two steps.
  • the Parish Council should formally request designation followed by Conservation Area Appraisals.
  • Wiltshire Council should carry out the Appraisals.

The only community buildings in our villages are the Village Hall and the two churches: St Michael the Archangel in Brixton Deverill and St Mary the Virgin in Kingston Deverill. We can no longer sustain a shop, nor a pub.

The Village Hall hosts a full programme of monthly Pub Nights, quizzes, Village Feasts, talks and dramatical presentations and is used by art and fitness group. Its events are well attended and the Summer Fete, Flower Show and Dog Show is a particular highlight of the summer.

The Village Hall building is a prefabricated 1950s “Woolaway” structure which is well beyond the end of its planned life. Thanks to the repairs and improvements made by Village Hall Committees down the years, the building is still usable but it will not last for ever. The Village Hall Committee conducted a survey in August 2019 to seek the views of the community on the future of the Village Hall. There was a high level of responses all of which supported the continued provision of a Village Hall as a hub for the community. A Future Village Hall project was initiated, but then put on hold until 2022 in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The project will be relaunched in 2022.

A proposal to develop and reorder St Mary’s Church in Kingston Deverill was developed by a sub-committee of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) in 2019 and was submitted to the PCC in May 2020. It is currently on hold pending PCC decisions. A separate application for permission (‘Faculty’) is in progress for the repair and conservation of the font, for which a grant has been obtained from St Andrew’s Conservation Trust.

The activities organised and undertaken in the valley largely reflect the age profile of those who live here, and are therefore skewed towards older people. A monthly “coffee and crafts afternoon has recently been started in the Village Hall and this is proving to be very popular. The Hall also hosts a thriving art group and Pilates classes. The cricket club continues to play several matches each summer on a pitch adjacent to the Village Hall.

With the arrival of a number of younger families into our three villages there is now more of a requirement for facilities and activities for children than there has been in recent years. The Village Hall hosts an annual Christmas Party, a Duck Race and an annual rounders match but there is no children’s playground.

In terms of communication and information exchange, there is a comprehensive web site which complements the Parish News as a source of information and a means of communication. It includes a new arrivals information pack for those moving into the valley. In addition the Upper Deverills Facebook group continues to be widely used.

Links:

• Parish News
• Upper Deverills web site
• Facebook group
• Information for new residents

When people were asked whether the Plan should identify the most important community facilities, assess their condition and propose how to improve them to meet the needs of residents the responses were as follows:

In their written comments, people told us that they feel strongly that our historic churches in Brixton and Kingston should be conserved and preserved. In addition to their use for worship, christenings, weddings and funerals, some respondents believe that they should be used as village community centres. However, others feel that the churches should be “kept as churches”.

A number of people believe that there should be better provision for children and young people, such as modest playground that might be enlarged in future, with a swing or two or perhaps a see-saw. It is felt by many that we should sustain and encourage sports, arts, music, clubs and societies, and participate in (and help to organise) the Village Hall’s programme of events, in order to support a vibrant village community.

In order to make this possible, it is the general view that the future of the Village Hall should be safeguarded, despite the current building coming to the end of its useful life. However, several respondents feel that any future hall should be kept small, and compact – sized for our three villages but not set up on a scale that would require (or attract) large numbers of people from outside our community.

• Both churches continue to thrive, and their buildings are properly maintained.
• The Village Hall building is replaced when it can no longer be maintained.
• Young families with children feel that their needs are met.
• Effective communication and easily accessible information for residents, new arrivals and visitors .
• There is a rich social, cultural and sporting life in our villages.

• The Village Hall Committee, Parish Council and valley community should work together to fund and deliver a programme of work on a Future Village Hall.
• The community should continue to support the Cricket Club and the Village Hall’s programme of events.
• The PCC and the valley community should work together to maintain both churches and, where appropriate, develop their facilities in order to continue to use them as active places of worship and venues for celebration and commemoration.
• With the arrival (and birth) of a number of younger children in the valley, the creation of a children’s playground should once again be investigated, perhaps as a project to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
• The Parish Council and the Village Hall Committee should explore, with neighbouring Councils and Village Halls, the potential for joint events and activities.
• The Parish News, Parish Council website and Upper Deverills Facebook page should continue to be used, in combination, to exchange and publish information of interest and value to the community.

St Mary the Virgin, Kingston Deverill

Policing in Wiltshire is governed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Policing Vision 2025 and the Wiltshire and Swindon Policy and Crime Plan 2022-2025. The latter states that local communities will be involved in decision making, our concerns will be listened to, the visibility of policing will be improved, and the design of services will be based on the public’s experience of how well the service is working for us.
More officers will be recruited, every victim who reports a crime will receive a prompt response including a visit from the police, and there will be increased investment in the digital capability of the force.

There is a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in operation which covers the Upper Deverills and also Hill Deverill, Longbridge Deverill and Crockerton.

A Community Safeguarding Group was set up at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, to help neighbours to help each other, particularly during the lockdowns, and to share and disseminate information, principally by email.

Wiltshire Police maintain an clear understanding of the policing needs of the valley and allocate appropriate resources to the prevention and detection of rural crime.

The Plan questionnaire did not ask any questions focussed on policing and community safety. There were no additional comments on this topic. This suggests that residents are broadly content with the current situation. There was, however, concern about fly tipping.

Links:

• MyWilts online reporting of fly tipping

• Wiltshire Police understand the policing needs of the valley and allocate appropriate resources to the prevention and detection of crime.
• The Parish Council has developed a community resilience policy.
• Encourage and support the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
• Use of the MyWilts online tool to report fly tipping.

• Parish Council: seek clarification, from Wiltshire Police, of the changes that we can expect to see in:
  • the alignment of policing with other services.
  • an increased focus on prevention.
  • improved data sharing and communication.
  • consulting local people on their concerns and their experience of the police service.
  • how the local demand for policing will be assessed.
• Keep the Community Safeguarding Group in being and maintain the associated email lists.
• Parish Council: periodically review and revise the community resilience policy.
• Continue to use the Parish News and other channels to remind residents of the ways to report fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council.

Our three villlages are well served for both primary and secondary health care. The majority of residents are registered with the Mere Practice (four full-time GPs) or the Avenue Practice in Warminster (seven full-time GPs) for primary health care. Both practices provide a high quality personalised and compassionate service that is much appreciated.

The area is served by Salisbury District Hospital and the Royal United Hospitals Bath, with some specialist care being provided at Southampton General Hospital. Certain services are provided more locally at the Westminster Memorial Hospital in Shaftesbury (where there is a Minor Injuries Unit) and Warminster Community Hospital.

The primary concern is the performance of South Western Ambulance Services NHS Trust. Particularly during the coronavirus epidemic, the response time has on occasion been unacceptably long. When the ambulance crews or paramedics arrive, they invariably live up the the Trust’s vision statement of “Exceptional Care Delivered by Exceptional People. But it seems that the resources available to the Trust are insufficient to meet the need, particularly in a relatively remote location with a large population of older people.

While there are a number of elderly people who live alone, this is a friendly community in which people look out for each other. During the coronavirus pandemic a Community Safeguarding Group was set up in order to provide a little structure and a channel of communications to coordinate neighbourly efforts to ensure that nobody was forgotten.

The bus service is limited but important to those who do not drive. The introduction of a more flexible minibus service, perhaps along “call-and-go” lines, would be welcomed. The present bus service is supplemented by the Mere and District Link Scheme, through which volunteers help people in Mere and surrounding villages (including ours) to get to their medical appointments, shops and social events.

Links:

• Mere and District Link Scheme. Telephone 01747 860096 (9am to 5pm weekdays only).
• Warminster and District Foodbank. Telephone 01985 214463 or 07855627945 (9am to 11am Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)

All three villages have experienced floods that have caused significant disruption and damage: Kingston Deverill in December 2013, Monkton Deverill in 2016 and Brixton Deverill in October 2021.

Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the following parties have a duty to cooperate with each other in the management of flood risk:

• The Environment Agency is responsible for taking a strategic overview of all sources of flooding, for managing the risk of flooding from major rivers (the upper waters of the Wylye do not qualify as a major river) and issuing flood warnings.
• The Lead Local Flood Authority (Wiltshire Council in our case) is responsible for coordinating flood risk management in its area. It is responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, ground water and ordinary watercourses and it leads on community recovery. It is also responsible for maintaining a register of flood risk assets and surface water risk. If a flood happens the Lead Local Flood Authority must have plans in place to respond to emergencies.
• The local authority (also Wiltshire Council in our case) is responsible for carrying out flood risk management works on minor watercourses.
• The highways authority (also Wiltshire Council, in respect of the roads in our Parish, which are minor roads) is responsible for providing and managing highway drainage and roadside ditches, and must ensure that roadside projects do not increase flood risk.
• Riparian owners – people who own land or property next to a river, stream or ditch – are responsible for maintaining the waterway, but also have rights to protect their properties from flooding. Guidance for riparian owners is contained in the Environment Agency publication Owning an Watercourse, a link to which is listed below.
• Property owners are responsible for looking after their own properties, including reducing the risks of water entering them and of causing damage. They are expected to be aware of their flood risk and to take measures to better protect themselves, where appropriate. Maintenance and repair of drainage pipes and channels on private property is the responsiblity of the property owner.

There was no flooding-related question in the Parish Plan survey, but there were several written comments by respondents, particularly from Brixton Deverill (where the most recent flooding event occurred). There was a strong feeling that more measures should be taken to prevent future flooding, whether from the river or from surface run-off. It was felt that drains should be upgraded and existing drains should be cleared regularly, and culverts should be inspected. Dredging and weed removal should be undertaken where appropriate. Riparian owners should be given a clearer understanding of their responsiblities and should be encouraged to fulfil them. The appointment of flood wardens was suggested.

Links:

• Environment Agency guidance:
  • Flooding – minimising the risk. Flood plan guidance for communities and groups. Practical advice to help to create a flood plan.
  • Example of an emergency flood plan. (Environment Agency).
  • What to do before, during and after a flood
  • Owning a watercourse. (Environment Agency).
• Wiltshire Council Flood Risk Assessment
• Warminster Community Area Flooding Issues
• Flood maps
  • Brixton Deverill flood map
  • Monkton Deverill flood map
  • Kingston Deverill flood map

• A significant reduction in the frequency and impact of flooding in all three villages of the Upper Deverills, through coordinated action between local authorities and propery owners.

• Effective and concerted action by the Parish Council to secure the completion and implementation of a flood risk management plan by Wiltshire Council, in its capacity as the Lead Local Flood Authority, local authority and highways authority.
• Clear communication to riparian and propery owners of their responsibilities in respect of flood risk management
• The appointment of flood wardens to monitor risks as they arise and develop.

The Deverills landscape is criss-crossed by public rights of way. The survey did not ask a question about footpaths and rights of way but nevertheless respondents wrote several comments.

There was support for improving the maintenance and ease of use of footpaths, asking farmers to ensure that they are safe, that they are clearly visible, well marked, and not obstructed, and that they are promptly restored after field operations. There were a few specific suggestions about the creation of a new permissive path or the diversion of an existing right of way. The power to do this is held by Wiltshire Council, and the process is set out on the Wiltshire Council Rights of Way page.

While the Parish Council takes an interest in rights of way, it has no statutory powers to require landowners to act. These powers are held by Wiltshire Council, who suggest that people who wish to report a problem using their My Wiltshire online tool.

Two respondents suggested that the creation of a Permissive Path in Monkton Deverill that would cross the river and provide a link to Kingston Deverill.

Links:

• Wiltshire Council: Rights of way (to request the creation or diversion of a right of way)
• My Wiltshire online reporting (to report a problem with a right of way)

• Rights of way that are well maintained, easy to find and use, and promptly restored.
• Friendly relations between those who use public rights of way and private landowners whose property they cross.

• The Parish Council to continue to monitor rights of way through the Rights of Way representatives from the three villages.
• Problems to be reported directly to Wiltshire Council using the My Wiltshire reporting tool.
• Requests for creating or diverting footpaths to follow the process set out by Wiltshire Council.
• Suggestions for new rights of way or Permissive Paths (such as one from Monkton to Kingston) to be raised directly with Wiltshire Council following the process set out on the Wiltshire Council Rights of Way web page.

Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an International Dark Sky Reserve. The AONB describes the benefits and beneficiaries of dark skies as follows:

• People: Our sleep can be disrupted by too much light at night. At worst, it can lead to more serious health issues
• Wildlife: Many birds and animals are affected by stray light at night, affecting their breeding cycles and feeding habits. Controlling stray light helps bats, birds, moths and other nocturnal creatures to go about their business and thrive
• Enjoyment and education: There is increasing interest, wonder and amazement at the incredible array of stars above us. Stargazing is a fabulous educational activity for all
• Money: Substantial savings can be made by Local Authorities, businesses and individuals from turning off or dimming down unnecessary lighting
• Saving energy: There is no point shining light into the sky. Energy wastage can be considerably reduced by ensuring light is directed only where it is needed
• Rural tourism: Other areas designated for their dark skies have seen greater visitor numbers, even in winter, leading to increased business for B&Bs, retailers, and others catering for visitors

Maintenance of the status of the AONB as an International Dark Sky Reserve depends on following a number of principles that are set out in a Dark Night Sky Charter

• Shielding lights, so that they do not emit any light above the horizontal, to reduce skyglow and the adverse effects of light on flying fauna.
• Shielding lights, so that they do not shine off the property, to reduce light intrusion and glare.
• Using light of a coordinated colour temperature of 2700K or lower (“warm white”

light) to reduce glare, skyglow from light scatter, and the adverse effects of light on nocturnal fauna.

• Have exterior lights on motion sensors (PIRs) with a maximum “on” time of 5 minutes to reduce their effect on all aspects of the night-time environment, especially skyglow from light scatter and reflection, and the adverse effects on flora and nocturnal fauna.
• Using lights with the minimum brightness necessary for their intended task to reduce their effect on all aspects of the night-time environment, especially skyglow from light scatter and reflection, and the

adverse effects on flora and nocturnal fauna.

• In the case of tourist accommodation providers, promote the dark sky environment by providing binoculars or telescopes, star charts, red-light torches, etc., for loan to guests, and making provision for late returns in the night after astronomy activities,and late breakfasts.
• Respect and raise awareness of the International Dark Sky Reserve generally by promoting, in person, on social media, or on own websites, dark sky events such as stargazing evenings and talks on light pollution and its consequences and remedies.

When asked whether the Parish Plan should seek to protect the Upper Deverills according to the Dark Skies status of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the responses were as follows:

• That organisations and individuals in the Upper Deverills are aware of the principles set out in the Dark Night Sky Charter and take them into account, particularly when installing and using exterior lighting and choosing replacement bulbs.

• The Parish Council should identify a Dark Night Sky champion.
• That the Village Hall should invite an expert to give a talk on the Dark Night Sky Reserve.