Is this the most forward-thinking village in Norfolk?

That's the big question from South Norfolk Council after almost eight out of evey ten residents of Bunwell threw themselves into a broad and imaginative range of activities to develop an innovative and inspiring Village Plan.

Despite being split by the busy B1113, the village has a strong sense of community, and 78 per cent of its residents took part in what the Council has called one of the most successful exercises in community planning it has ever been involved with.

The Plan's steering committee organised a wide range of events to involve all residents, including a lively barbecue and concert for young people, where they were invited to add their views on a graffiti wall. There were also well-attended open events, meetings and a questionnaire sent to every household. The resulting Parish Plan, according to Cllr Beverley Spratt, is "the best I have seen produced in South Norfolk".

Georgina Cole, South Norfolk Council's Community Development officer, said:

"With their vision for the future, Bunwell has taken Parish Plans to a new level. The great majority of residents - young and old - have enthusiastically given their views and ideas to help plan the exciting new projects for the village. They have thought big and really pushed the boundaries in a way I've never seen before."

Nigel Seaward, chairman of the Bunwell Parish Plan Committee, explained:

"We want to remain a rural community, but at the same time are looking to move with the times and keep in touch with modern technology. So as well as the expected issues, such as road safety, a lot of new suggestions were made and we are now investigating bulk buying initiatives, vehicle sharing schemes and a 'good neighbours' project. We will also be inviting specialist experts to give their views of alternative energy possibilities to the village.

"But our action plan is not only based on majority opinions. Only a small number of residents said they had problems collecting their prescriptions from nearby towns, for example, but we will be helping them. That's where a community network of volunteer helpers might come in.

"The response of so many young people was tremendous too, as we want to encourage them to stay in the village community. They had a lot of definite opinions, and some were so enthusiastic that they want to do some fundraising."

As a result of their Parish Plan, Bunwell has been invited to be part of the South Norfolk Alliance 'sustainable communities' pilot project, providing a model of how a sustainable village programme can work.

Nigel Seaward explained:

"We're not looking for independence! But we can stand on our own two feet and are becoming sustainable in our own right. Another action plan is for new villagers to receive a Welcome Pack as soon as they move in: everyone here is encouraged to join in and become community-minded."

Web links

• Bunwell Village Plan

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