Buckland Newton is a rural parish situated in West Dorset, and lies approximately 10 miles equidistant from the county town of Dorchester and the small towns of Sherborne and Sturminster Newton. The main road through the area, the B3143, runs north/south through the parish connecting Stalbridge and Sturminster Newton in the north to Dorchester to the south. The C12 runs parallel to the west as a main route between Dorchester and Sherborne.
The neighbourhood plan covers an area of approximately 1,700 hectares, and at the time of the 2011 Census had a population of 622 living in 260 homes, but a total of 287 dwellings including second homes, etc. The main village of Buckland Newton has a parish church, primary school, public house, shop and other facilities. There are a number of hamlets within the parish, including Duntish, Henley, Cosmore, Bookham, Brockhampton Green, Sharnhill Green, Beaulieu Wood, Rew and Tiley.
Fig.1-Buckland Newton Parish Population
Census data
Fig.2 - Age Structure 2011 Census data
There are more than 100 businesses and organisations within the parish, mostly small in terms of the number of employees, with many providing local services. There are a number of industrial units, mainly converted redundant farm buildings, with a variety of light manufacturing and service businesses. Buckland Newton School is a major employer within the parish. Agriculture is still an important part of the local economy, but less so than in the past because of the way farming has changed, leading to a number of farm diversification projects, including equestrian and a variety of other rural activities. Tourism plays a significant role in the area with holiday accommodation and activities, increasing trade for other businesses.
Buckland Newton has a very socially active and inclusive community, with a number of clubs and societies for all ages, the Village Hall being well used. There is an annual fete raising money for local charities. There is a monthly newsletter, the Lydden Vale News, as well as a comprehensive community website, www.bucklandnewton.com.
The southern edge of the parish lies on the North Dorset Escarpment, rising to over 800 feet above sea level with chalk downland, whilst the rest of the parish lies on clay and greensand in the south of the Blackmore Vale.
Approximately three quarters of the parish lies within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the exceptions being a small area to the east of Tiley and a larger area to the north east around Brockhampton Green. The primary purpose of the AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape, with two secondary aims: meeting the need for quiet enjoyment of the countryside and having regard for the interests of those who live and work there.
AONB is to south west of green boundary. Parish boundary in red
© Crown copyright and database right (2015). Ordnance Survey Licence No. 100051694
The Dorset AONB includes a substantial part of the Plan area, and the Dorset AONB Management Plan 2014-2019 sets out the management framework for land within the AONB.
Part of what makes the landscape so attractive is the interesting wildlife and natural habitats. Although there are no national designated wildlife sites in the area, there are 11 locally recognised Sites of Nature Conservation Interest within or close to the parish, as well as areas of Ancient Woodland. The main habitat types for sites of wildlife interest are deciduous woodland and calcareous grassland (the latter is particularly significant for butterflies). There is also a small area of lowland meadows within Buckland Newton Itself.
RARE SPECIES RECORDED WITHIN OR CLOSE TO THE PARISH
Although there were no records for Dormice in the area this is an under-recorded species they could still be present.
Buckland Newton village also has a designated Conservation Area, covering part of the older portion of the village, including the Church and several listed buildings. An extract from the Buckland Newton Conservation Area Appraisal reads:
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The large undulating area of open land between the groups of development and trees contributes significantly to the character and setting of the village.
There are a total of 28 listed buildings and structures within the parish of Buckland Newton, the Church of the Holy Rood being Grade I and the remainder Grade II. 10 of the 28 lie within the designated Conservation Area. In addition there are about ten important local buildings and groups (unlisted) identified within the Conservation Area appraisal.
There is also a Defined Development Boundary for parts of Buckland Newton village in the Local Plan (see Housing Section p10 and map p11).
For further information about Buckland Newton please visit www.bucklandnewton.com.
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