THE views of Abbotswood residents have been observed through a questionnaire-led community plan published last month.


The Abbotswood Community Plan was published on Wednesday, January 28 following a questionnaire being distributed to over 2,000 households in the town.


Chairman of Abbotswood Action Group, Mary Wright, said: “It’s fairly unusual for an urban area to think of producing a community plan, it’s usually the prerogative of villages and/or smaller communities.


“The community plan was the brainchild of South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Engagement Officer Jacqui Ward, and the Abbotswood Action Group pay tribute to the energy and enthusiasm Jacqui has shown in supporting the group’s activities.”


“In order to assess what people thought of the area, a questionnaire was circulated in the Spring of 2014 to which the 15 per cent response rate was considered good.


“The responses included most of the expected criticisms, like littering and the general dowdiness of the shops, and an overall perception that it was not a safe area to visit especially after dark, but when asked about anti-social behaviour, very few people reported it.


“However, the really good thing which came out of the questionnaire was the large number of people who are prepared to volunteer in whatever way they can to help in the enhancement process, so the hope is that together with Yate Town Council, Abbotswood Action Group will work towards making the place more pleasant to live, work and play in.”


Copies of the plan can be collected from various venues in the town, including St Nicholas’ Family Centre and The Abbotswood Inn, or downloaded by visiting paulhulbert.org/aag/abbotswoodcommunityplan.pdf.