Betchton Neighbourhood Plan
Household Survey

A1Which three issues should be the highest priorities for the Betchton Neighbourhood Plan?
Please choose up to three.

A2On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it that the Plan protects Betchton's rural farming character? 10 means most important.

A3What one thing about Betchton would you most want to keep for future generations?

A4What do you think is the biggest threat to Betchton's character?

B1Which words best describe Betchton today?
Please choose up to five.

B2Where in the parish does Betchton feel most rural? Please name the place or mark it on the map.

B3Are there places where Betchton's rural character feels under pressure? Please say where and why.

C1Please nominate any building, structure or place in Betchton that you think has local historic or architectural value, even if it is not listed.

C2Are there any farmhouses, barns, outbuildings, walls, bridges, canal features, lanes or other features that help tell Betchton's story?

C3Do you know of any locally important buildings or features that are at risk from neglect, alteration or loss?

C4How important is the setting of historic farmsteads and older buildings, such as yards, gardens, fields, hedges and lanes around them?

D1Which building materials fit Betchton best?
Please choose all that apply.

D2Which materials or styles do not fit Betchton well?

D3Should new development be encouraged to use materials and details that reflect Betchton's older farmhouses and traditional farm buildings?

D4Should a Betchton design code give guidance on brick colour, roof materials, boundary treatments, scale, building line and landscape setting?

D5How strict should the Betchton design code be when guiding the appearance, layout and landscape setting of new development?

D6Should the design code allow exceptions for architecturally excellent designs where they clearly respond to Betchton's rural character and setting?

E1Are traditional barns and farm buildings an important part of Betchton's character?

E2What should be most important when a barn or farm building is converted?
Please choose up to three.

E3Should new housing, where acceptable in planning terms, use farmhouse, courtyard or farmstead-style layouts rather than suburban estate layouts?

F1Please mark on the map any important views that should be protected, and say what can be seen and why the view matters.

F2Which landscape features most contribute to Betchton's rural character?
Please choose up to five.

F3Please identify any hedgerows, trees, ponds, verges or lanes that are especially important locally.

G1Which canal-related features in or near Betchton are locally important, such as bridges, locks, towpaths, buildings, wharves, views or waterside habitats?

G2How important is the canal corridor to Betchton's identity and countryside setting?

K1Which other walking, cycling or recreation routes and places in or near Betchton are locally important, such as the Salt Line path, local footpaths, bridleways, permissive routes or the golf course? Please say where and why.

K2Are there local footpaths, the Salt Line path, golf course edges, lanes or other access points that need better maintenance, signage, safety measures or protection? Please say where and why.

K3What is your view on events held in or affecting Betchton, such as the Smallwood Vintage Rally?
Please choose one, and add a brief comment if you wish.

H1Which lanes, verges or approaches into Betchton are most important to the parish's rural feel?

H2Should new development avoid urbanising features such as standard estate roads, excessive road markings, bright lighting, close-board fencing or large areas of hardstanding where these would harm rural character?

H3How important are dark skies and low levels of artificial lighting in Betchton?

H4Which boundary treatments fit Betchton best?
Please choose all that apply.

I1If new housing is acceptable under national and Cheshire East planning policy, what scale would best fit Betchton?
Please choose one.

I2Should new development respect existing settlement patterns, such as scattered farmsteads, small groups of buildings, lanes and field boundaries?

I3Should development avoid uniform suburban estate layouts where they would not reflect Betchton's rural character?

I4What design features would make new development fit Betchton better?

I5What design features would make new development feel out of place in Betchton?

I6Which local housing needs should the Neighbourhood Plan give most weight to, where new housing is acceptable in planning terms?

J1Is there anything important about Betchton's heritage, rural character, landscape or design that this survey has missed?

J2Would you be willing to help identify local heritage assets, important views, old photographs, historic maps or local stories?

J3Is there anything else that you feel Betchton Parish Council should be aware of that is not included in the previous questions? These do not have to relate to the Neighbourhood Plan, but will help the Parish Council understand more about what people are concerned about or would like to see.