Testun llawn:
Barford is approximately half the size of the other category 1 villages yet it is being allocated 100 houses. A category 1 village is defined as having the benefit of a school, shop and village or
community hall. Barford has fought to maintain a Church Aided school at primary level only. The only commercial shop left in Barford closed a few years ago and the residents have created a successful Community Shop run by volunteers. The Village Hall in Barford was built in 1930 and has a capacity of 100.
Although the village has been allocated category 1 status the facilities that determine this are limited and have been retained only by the efforts of the residents. If Barford is to be considered as a category 1 village then considerable investment will be needed to provide additional school, shop and village hall facilities to support an increased population.
There is very little employment available in Barford so new residents will inevitably need to travel to work. Public transport is limited and so car journeys will be increased causing additional congestion and pollution.
The construction of Bremridge Close in 2008 created 62 houses and there are plans to create 2 new developments each of over 50 houses which may be granted before the new plan is in effect.
To maintain the very strong community spirit in Barford future development should be at a level per year over the 15 year period which enables new residents to easily become part of the village.