# data[].attributes.headline
Geo Factsheet - Patterns of Disadvantage

# data[].attributes.subject
Geo Factsheet - Patterns of Disadvantage

# data[].attributes.body
How can patterns of disadvantage be explored?

# data[].attributes.body
How your phone can help with data collection - Apps and photo tips

# data[].attributes.body
This sheet outlines the carbon cycle and can be useful as a context for exploring carbon in Rectory Woods and Carding Mill Valley

# data[].attributes.body
Church Stretton has an ageing population - this factsheet explores this issue.

# data[].attributes.body
A guide to using secondary resources and how to reference.

# data[].attributes.body
Our website with fieldwork methods and analysis ideas

# data[].attributes.body
NEA tips for success

# data[].attributes.body
A GIS stprymap exploring how IMD data can be used in NEAs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This story map requires JavaScript, but running JavaScript is not currently allowed by your web browser. If you wish to view this story, please enable JavaScript in this browser or try a different browser.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This story map requires JavaScript, but running JavaScript is not currently allowed by your web browser. If you wish to view this story, please enable JavaScript in this browser or try a different browser.

# data[].attributes.body
Find out how much land is built up in your area.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For the first time, you can find out at the click of button exactly how the land is used in your local authority area.

If you can't see the area search, click or tap here.

Every council area in the UK has been analysed and individual maps produced showing how much of the area falls into four land categories:

More than half of the UK land area is farmland (fields, orchards etc), just over a third might be termed natural or semi-natural (moors, heathland, natural grassland etc), a little under 6% is built on (roads, buildings, airports, quarries etc) and 2.5% is green urban (parks, gardens, golf courses, sports pitches etc).

The four categories are drawn from 44 different land use codes used by the Co-ordination of Information on the Environment (Corine) project initiated by the European Commission in 1985.

Using high-definition satellite images and detailed local maps, Corine offers a comprehensive picture of every corner of the United Kingdom. Now that information is readily available to everyone.

The local authorities with the highest proportion of farmland are the Isles of Scilly (96%) and Mid Suffolk (95%). The council area with the greatest quantity of "natural" landscape is Highland (91%). The City of London has the highest amount of land that is built on (98%) and the local authority with the greatest proportion of green urban is Richmond upon Thames (58%).

The data has been produced with the help of Dr Alasdair Rae from the Urban Studies and Planning Department at the University of Sheffield. All the original local authority data and maps are available in A Land Cover Atlas of the United Kingdom and can be found here and here.

Methodology

The largest component of the "built on" category is "discontinuous urban fabric", within which 20-50% of the surface area may be green space. To account for this we have reassigned the minimum 20% of "discontinuous urban fabric" to "green urban", which in many cases may be an underestimate. The map uses building land cover data from Ordnance Survey.
Produced by Will Dahlgreen. Design by Prina Shah. Development by Evisa Terziu.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For the first time, you can find out at the click of button exactly how the land is used in your local authority area. If you can't see the area search, click or tap here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Government paper on natural systems and flood management

# data[].attributes.subject
Government paper on natural systems and flood management

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-with-natural-processes-to-reduce-flood-risk

# data[].attributes.body
First Midlands "Walkers are Welcome" Town

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Walkers are Welcome - Church Stretton, Tourist Information and Resident Information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our hill country is a magnet for walkers of all ages and abilities: we aim to become THE walking centre of Shropshire. On offer are ambles, Walking for Health paths, more active rambles and the opportunity to walk the hill tops or join the annual 50-mile Longmynd Hike, or the even longer Shropshire Way or Offa's Dyke with surprisingly modest effort.

# data[].attributes.headline
Carding Mill Valley Flooding and changing river courses.

# data[].attributes.subject
Carding Mill Valley Flooding and changing river courses.

# data[].attributes.body
How has this place changed? How is the valley managed for flooding?

# data[].attributes.headline
Document for Carding Mill Valley National Trust Educators summarising flooding management.

# data[].attributes.subject
Document for Carding Mill Valley National Trust Educators summarising flooding management.

# data[].attributes.body
Key facts and interview on flooding management and impacts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Trust Teaching Notes on flooding

# data[].attributes.body
Weighing up options between new sites (Park, housing, parking etc.) or pollution.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The building of 47 houses and a coach park next to a school could still contaminate the source of Long Mynd bottled spring water, the Environment Agency has said.

The government authority has renewed its objection to the development at playing fields next to Church Stretton School on Shrewsbury Road.

It comes despite a report by developer Enzo Homes outlining a range of steps it will take to ensure there is "negligible" risk to natural water collected from bore holes nearby.

The site is close to a source of natural water at the base of the Long Mynd that has been used for bottling for 130 years, most recently by Princes food and drink group which has formally objected to the plans.

Now, Graeme Irwin, senior planning advisor with the Environment Agency, has outlined in a six-page letter a long list of reasons why the authority feels the risks "have not yet been fully assessed".

The development is key to plans for new sports facilities for Church Stretton School and the wider community going ahead, as the sale of current school playing fields for homes would fund relocated pitches, hard surfaces and a children's play area.

But, Mr Irwin said: "Having reviewed the 'hydrogeological risk assessment' prepared by WYG on behalf of Enzo Homes, we are unable to remove our objection."

He said there were "multiple risks" of pollution associated with building the homes, but also "the report implies that the majority of the groundwater related risk is associated with the proposed residential development".

He added: "However, the development plan includes other uses such as the bus parking, overflow parking, playing fields which also have specific associated risks. It is essential that these are also considered."

He said once built it would be difficult to ensure that individual householders living in the homes would "adhere to good practice" to make sure there was no risk of pollution to water in the area, with the use of "salts and herbicides" a particular concern.

"This could pose an ongoing risk to the groundwater environment," he said, adding: "The long term integrity of sewage infrastructure needs to be considered. Such networks are known to degrade with time."

He said surface water drainage needed "further detailed assessment".

"It is noted that the soakaway for the housing development is to be moved into the eastern part of the site which is welcomed. However I am not clear as to how the drainage on the rest of the site will be dealt with," he said.

Overall the fact that the area was used for bottling water meant stricter regulations.

"Sources designated under the natural mineral water regulations must retain their characteristic mineral composition and demonstratestability," he said.

"The proposals and associated risks must therefore be assessed in this context, in addition to the requirement to protect the wider groundwater environment."

Subscribe to our Newsletter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
New fears over Long Mynd water pollution if homes plan goes ahead

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The building of 47 houses and a coach park next to a school could still contaminate the source of Long Mynd bottled spring water, the Environment Agency has said. The government authority has renewed its objection to the development at playing fields next to Church Stretton School on Shrewsbury Road.

# data[].attributes.body
Closure of the swimming pool would mean less amenities and services for the locals - a place for exercise to alleviate Health Deprivation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Leisure centre supporters today vowed to keep fighting for a swimming pool in a county town, after Shropshire Council earmarked it for closure.

Teme Church Stretton Leisure Centre has been under threat from cuts for some time, but a new leisure strategy revealed by the authority has officially confirmed it is among those that "need to be considered for closure".

Due to the poor condition of the pool, the Shropshire Council report says, there is also less scope for it to be saved by a community group than in the case of the SpArC leisure centre in nearby Bishop's Castle.

But supporters in Church Stretton today said they are undeterred in fighting to keep the pool for public use and claim a small rise in council tax may save it.

Town councillor Mark Morris, who is leading the town's Love Your Leisure Centre campaign, said Church Stretton Town Council is awaiting the results of a town-wide survey asking people what cut-threatened services they could not do without.

The councillor added that it was more important than ever that people make their feelings known about the leisure centre.

He said in the worst case the pool could close, while other leisure centre facilities become only for use by the Church Stretton School next door, and not the general public.

Councillor Morris said: "One of the options we're asking people about is whether they would be prepared to pay more on their council tax.

"There are no exact figures as yet, but it's possible that for about £50 more a year, about £1 a week, we could keep these facilities.

"The trouble with any swimming pool is that it never makes as much money as it costs, they are very expensive things to run."

He said he was concerned busy residents would put off completing the consultation until it was too late, so urged people to make it a priority, with completed forms needing to be in by August 22.

"The pool does get use and I think it would be a real shame if it closed. If it closes we will never get it back.

"We will certainly keep on fighting and I will keep on at the town council about it," he said.

Shropshire Council's new leisure strategy has gone out to public consultation until September 30.

The council says it needs to offload a range of services, including leisures centres, libraries and community centres.

Its leisure document says: "In the south, both SpArC and Church Stretton pools are small, costly to operate, require significant investment, and serve very small communities, so have low throughput.

"Both of these need to be considered for closure.

"The SpArC pool is in better condition and there could be more opportunity to work in partnership with a local organisation to take on the operation of this pool and the other adjacent sports facilities.

"The Church Stretton pool is in a very poor condition, and does not offer a fit for purpose environment in which to learn."

Subscribe to our Newsletter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Campaigners vow to fight to keep Church Stretton's pool

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Leisure centre supporters today vowed to keep fighting for a swimming pool in a county town, after Shropshire Council earmarked it for closure. Teme Church Stretton Leisure Centre has been under threat from cuts for some time, but a new leisure strategy revealed by the authority has officially confirmed it is among those that "need to be considered for closure".

# data[].attributes.headline
How is the area alleviating Health Deprivation...

# data[].attributes.subject
How is the area alleviating Health Deprivation...

# data[].attributes.headline
Gallery and Events in Church Stretton and Carding Mill Valley

# data[].attributes.subject
Gallery and Events in Church Stretton and Carding Mill Valley

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
iLiveHere - Britain's worst places to live

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you are thinking of moving to Church Stretton or just want to know a what the area is like, the statistics on this page should give you a good introduction. They cover a range of socio-economic factors so you can compare Church Stretton to figures for Shropshire and nationally. These statistics can tell you if Church Stretton is an economically deprived area and how hard it might be to get a job.

Church Stretton Education Statistics

These statistics are for the highest level education obtained by the residents of Church Stretton and are from the UK Census of 2011.

Church Stretton General Health Statistics

The respondents of the 2011 Census were asked to rate their health. These are the results for Church Stretton. The percentage of residents in Church Stretton rating their health as 'very good' is less than the national average.

Church Stretton Age Distribution Statistics

The population of Church Stretton as a whole, is older than the national average. The population of Church Stretton is also older than the average, making Church Stretton a older persons location.

Church Stretton Property Ownership & Rental Statistics

Church Stretton Immigration Statistics

These figures for Country of Birth for the residents of Church Stretton are from the UK Census of 2011. Since Church Stretton has a higher level of residents born in the UK than the national average and a lower rate of residents either born in other EU countries or outside the EU, it does not have a significant immigrant population.

Church Stretton Social Grade & Occcupation Statistics

Social grade is a classification based on occupation and it enables a household and all its members to be classified according to the job of the main income earner.

Church Stretton Benefits & Unemployment Statistics

These figures on the claiming of benefits in Church Stretton come from the Department for Work & Pensions and are dated . They can often be a good indicator of the prosperity of the town and possible indicator of how hard it would be to get employment in the area. The rate of claiming any benefit (which includes in work benefits) is more than 10% lower in Church Stretton than the national average, suggesting higher salaries than the average in the area.

Sources: Office for National Statistics & Department for Work & Pensions.

Do you live in Church Stretton? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you are thinking of moving to Church Stretton or just want to know a what the area is like, the statistics on this page should give you a good introduction. They cover a range of socio-economic factors so you can compare Church Stretton to figures for Shropshire and nationally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Households by Deprivation Dimensions | Church Stretton and Craven Arms E00147672 - UK Census Data 2011

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Households by Deprivation Dimensions | Church Stretton and Craven Arms E00147672. 2011 Census Data for all census areas in England and Wales.

# data[].attributes.body
"In the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) this area was ranked 22,857 out of 32,844 in England, where 1 was the most deprived and 32,844 the least."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
UK Local Area - Church Stretton South, South Shropshire - Neighbourhood Profile - Schools - House Prices - Council Tax - Gas / Electricity Prices

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Aerial/Network Specialist Bathroom Specialist Bricklayer Builder Carpenter / Joiner Cleaner Drainage Specialist Driveway Services Electrician Flooring Specialist Gardener / Garden Designer Handyman Heating Engineer Kitchen Specialist Locksmith Loft Conversion Specialist Metalworker Painter / Decorator Pest Control Plasterer / Renderer Plumber Roofer Security Specialist Specialist Tradesman Stoneworker / Stonemason Swimming Pool Specialist Tiler Traditional Craftsman Tree Surgeon Window & Conservatory Specialist

# data[].attributes.body
Helping to reconnect young people with nature.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Carding Mill Valley in Church Stretton welcomes more than 250,000 visitors a year with huge numbers of school children enjoying the excellent education programme on offer at the site.

Recent research has been carried out airing concerns about young people spending too much time indoors and not experiencing a connection with nature which aids their development and health. This lack of contact with the outdoors is known as Nature Deficit Disorder; a term coined by author Richard Louv in 2005. His book â€˜Last Child in the Woodsâ€™ looks at the importance of prising young people out of their gadgeted bedrooms and the threats to their health by being deprived of the outdoors.

A nationwide campaign has been launched by the National Trust called â€™50 Things to do before youâ€™re 11 Â¾ â€™ to address this problem, by providing a list of experiences such as building a den, hunting for bugs and climbing hills, to entice children into the great outdoors.

The team at Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills have been offering such experiences to young children for decades. Most notably is the link with local school, St Lawrenceâ€™s CE Primary School, where every child has been enjoying a range of outdoor nature activities led by a 24-strong team of learning volunteers and staff.

This year sees more visits than ever before and now the older students from Church Stretton Technology College are also experiencing some of the more challenging outdoor activities such as bush craft and wild camping.

Chris Stratton, Learning, Interpretation and Community Officer said: â€œAs part of an orienteering event we recently had some students chasing through bracken which stands as high as them and then clambering hands and feet up a craggy slope.

â€œAfterwards they attempted a steep 15 minute ascent that when they turned round to sit down drew gasps from some of them as they took in the breathtaking view of their town nestled in the hills. Despite living close by none had explored this track up to the 500 metre mark and were amazed by the beauty of the nature all around them.â€

Chris says that experiences such as these are helping to strengthen the connections between local people and Carding Mill Valley and also diminish complaints relating to the Trustâ€™s land management and habitat renewal processes such as heather burning.

He added: â€œA key to the continuing successful management of this 2,000 hectare site is having a well informed visitor and a well informed local community. Local parents are often involved in the running of activities and even the previous local Mayor, Bob Welch, has become involved in our school partnership meetings.

â€œThrough repeated visits we are now welcoming more visitors who understand how their lifestyles have an impact on such places. They have a clearer picture of the property, its wildlife, the threats, the management and the importance of the part they need to play in looking after such a special place.â€

Carding Mill Valley is one of the busiest and best loved places in the West Midlands attracting over 250,000 visitors to its wilderness and tranquillity each year.

The countryside at Carding Mill Valley is open all year, with the shop and tea-room open from 10am to 5pm every day until 4 November when it opens Fridays to Mondays, 11am to 4pm.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cardingmill for further information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Carding Mill Valley helps to reconnect young people with nature

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Carding Mill Valley in Church Stretton welcomes more than 250,000 visitors a year with huge numbers of school children enjoying the excellent education programme on offer at the site. Recent research has been carried out airing concerns about young people spending too much time indoors and not experiencing a connection with nature which aids their development and health.

# data[].attributes.body
Will local services be able to continue running?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Two groups are set to go head to head to take on a town library as a formal bidding process is launched next week.

Church Stretton Library has been the centre of controversy and a protracted legal wrangle in recent years.

But now Shropshire Council will start afresh on discussions over who will take over the running of the service - and whether it will stay in its current town centre building.

The deadline for expressions of interest in running it was a fortnight ago, with two parties coming forward.

Though the identities of the interested parties are confidential, both Church Stretton School, which had hoped to move the service to the campus on Shrewsbury Road, and Church Stretton Library Support Group had previously indicated they were considering a bid.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire councillor for Church Stretton and a cabinet member, said the response will be discussed at a council cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

He said no decision will be made as yet and now the bids had to go through a process of actually being submitted and assessed.

Councillor Chapman said: "We have two organisations that have come forward.

"Under the Localism Act it only requires one expression of interest to trigger a procurement process. It will now go through a formal bidding process."

He said it was now up to the two interested organisations to submit a business case - but the field was still open to any other organisation that wanted to come in and bid for taking on the library, even if it had not previously expressed interest.

He said each business case would then be compared against the strict criteria of the library service specification, with officers rather than politicians deciding on the closest fit.

"The decision on where the library goes will not be a decision I will be making and not a decision cabinet will be making, it will be up to council officers," he said.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bidders compete over future of Church Stretton Library

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Two groups are set to go head to head to take on a town library as a formal bidding process is launched next week. Church Stretton Library has been the centre of controversy and a protracted legal wrangle in recent years.

# data[].attributes.body
Job uncertainty.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Princes food and drink group, which operates the current bottling plant in Church Stretton, confirmed it is "conducting a review of its operations".

Staff at the plant on Shrewsbury Road say they have been told their jobs may be at risk in a meeting at the site.

The possible loss of the plant, which employs about 40 people, has come as a shock to Church Stretton residents as Princes has been involved in a fight against a nearby housing development for more than a year, and this time last year said it was committed to the site.

Princes spokesman said today: "We are conducting a review of our operations and until this process is complete, no further information can be disclosed."

In a statement, Church Stretton Town Council said: "We have had formal notification today that a preliminary meeting has taken place with staff and there will now be a four to six week consultation period after which a decision will be made."

Water has been bottled on the Long Mynd for 130 years. But staff at Princes have been told they may face redundancy, sparking fears about the future of the plant.

The firm currently has a formal objection lodged to plans for 47 homes and a coach park for playing fields at Church Stretton School, which it has opposed as it sees the development as a potential pollution risk to the pure water source, which is accessed at bore holes nearby.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shropshire spring water jobs at risk as company 'reviews operations'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Princes food and drink group, which operates the current bottling plant in Church Stretton, confirmed it is "conducting a review of its operations". Staff at the plant on Shrewsbury Road say they have been told their jobs may be at risk in a meeting at the site.

# data[].attributes.body
"As a health resort the Victorians called Church Stretton "little Switzerland"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Church Stretton - The first town in Shropshire to be 'Walkers Are Welcome'

As a health resort the Victorians called Church Stretton "little Switzerland"(without the wolves and avalanches) but with its alpine like hills and valleys its easy to see why. Church Stretton still retains its spa town feel with natural springs providing the source of Stretton Hills bottled water.

Above the town rises the Long Mynd which is topped by a moorland plateau of heather and rocks, broken on the eastern side by a series of "batches" or hollows. A popular walking area - ideal for exploring the Shropshire Hills. Church Stretton is the first town in Shropshire to receive Walkers Are Welcome status. Walkers Are Welcome towns are places which have something special to offer for walkers more than simply being a fantastic place to come and enjoy the great outdoors. The town also holds its own annual Walking Festival in June.

Carding Mill Valley provides a more leisurely walk popular with visitors and a tea pavilion for that all important brew. At weekends and Bank Holidays the National Trust run a shuttle bus from the railway station to the valley and up to the top of the Long Mynd. The sensible folk take it up and walk back - its easier that way.

A thriving antiques centre with over 60 stalls is open every day and nearby Acton Scott Historic Farm will give you a taste of farming at the turn of the 19th Century well before mechanisation.

St Laurence's Church is handsome - look for the sheila-na-gig, a pagan fertility symbol. Probably Saxon - definitely rude!

Church Stretton & South Shropshire Arts Festival takes place each year. The festivities result in the South Shropshire Hills literally becoming alive with the sound of music!

For further information on Church Stretton visit the Church Stretton Website or contact the Visitor Information Centre

For more information about Church Stretton and the rest of South Shropshire, please click the link to visit the Ludlow & South Shropshire website

Please click here to view a map of Church Stretton town centre.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Map of Church Stretton - Accommodation, Shops and More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a health resort the Victorians called Church Stretton "little Switzerland" (without the wolves and avalanches) but with its alpine like hills and valleys its easy to see why. Church Stretton still retains its spa town feel with natural springs providing the source of Stretton Hills bottled water.

# data[].attributes.body
Government website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Shropshire Council is soon to start work on a flood alleviation scheme in Church Stretton. The £95,000 scheme, identified in Shropshire Council's Church Stretton Surface Water Management Plan, is being funded by the Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

The work involves stabilising the banks and bed of a length of the Ash Brook to increase its capacity to hold water during times of flood. This will reduce the risk of flooding to a number of homes in the area. The work is scheduled to start on Monday 5 August 2013 and will take around eight weeks to complete.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member responsible for flooding, and committee member for the Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee said:

"After the funding that was made available by Shropshire Council to undertake Church Stretton's Surface Water Management Plan, it is great to see that additional funding for a flood alleviation scheme has been unlocked. The scheme will bring peace of mind to property owners whose property is at risk of flooding in the area."

Lee Chapman, a local Shropshire Councillor for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, said:

"This is great news for residents in Church Stretton. Shropshire Council's flood and water management team is working hard to manage flood risk in this area."

Further information

Shropshire Council is one of the members of the Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. For more details on the committee click here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Flood alleviation scheme for Church Stretton - Shropshire Council Newsroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shropshire Council is soon to start work on a flood alleviation scheme in Church Stretton. The £95,000 scheme, identified in Shropshire Council's Church Stretton Surface Water Management Plan, is being funded by the Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

# data[].attributes.body
PDF's available in link.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Church Stretton Surface Water Management Plan - Shropshire Council

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Information about Church Stretton's Water Management Plan.

# data[].attributes.body
Have they achieved there goals?

# data[].attributes.body
How effective and successful were the plans?

# data[].attributes.headline
Events in the Church Stretton and surrounding area

# data[].attributes.subject
Events in the Church Stretton and surrounding area

# data[].attributes.body
Events available for all ages in the area.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Events - Church Stretton, Tourist Information and Resident Information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
PLEASE NOTE: The calendar of Regular Events is NOT amended over Bank Holiday periods (eg Christmas, New Year, Easter)- so if any regular event is shown on the calendar during these times, please check with the organiser to see whether in fact it will be taking place.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gallery - Church Stretton, Tourist Information and Resident Information

# data[].attributes.body
Employment, housing and education.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The 2011 Census, mapped with context for England/Wales.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Crime map for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, West Mercia Police - Police.uk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Click on the dots on the map for information about individual crimes.