Chesham Community Vision

Your town –Your future


An emerging vision April 2004
History and Heritage

Earlier this year, over 400 residents from Chesham and it’s surrounding communities plus representatives of more than 40 local businesses, groups and organisations responded to an initial consultation event as part of this new community-wide appraisal. What has emerged are some key trends and issues that those who live, work, play or visit the town and local area express when they consider the future of this community.

This Emerging Vision Statement captures those values, challenges and aspirations as recorded on over 700 reply slips, completed by a broad spectrum of the community including the very young, teenagers, older persons, minority group representatives plus local traders and businesses.

Initial consultation work will prepare the way to produce a fresh action plan reflecting the views of the widest possible audience and form a springboard for projects to be delivered by local community action groups.
 
300 years ago Chesham was a typical market town, set in a landscape unchanged since medieval times and serving small communities across the mid Chilterns. However, the commercial planting of the beechwoods in the 1700s, now a key component of the local landscape, and the development of the local leather trade, determined the economic expansion that is reflected in the workshops and factories that sprang up in and around the town over the next two centuries.
The workforce that migrated to Chesham to meet this new manufacturing growth also determined the expansion of housing around the original town and the multi-cultural diversity of the community. The arrival of the Metropolitan railway in the late 19thC reinforced this economic development of the town.

Vision Statement
 
  • To be a safe and accessible town that welcomes all who live, work, play or visit, with social, recreational and community amenities that meet the present and future needs of local people and the surrounding area.
  • To continue to build upon Chesham’s strong sense of place and heritage in order to create a socially and economically vibrant market town, with good supporting services that continue to address issues of education and employment as well as public transport and housing.
 

The Key themes:

  • A sense of community
  • A town of character
  • Accessibility to green open spaces
  • Regeneration of High Street
  • Choice of shops
  • A sound local economy
  • Linking education, training and employment
  • A vibrant social mix
  • A single community
  • A solid community infrastructure
  • Best access to services
  • Integrated public transport
  • Improved communication with all who live, work, play in Chesham

A Sense of Place

Chesham retains a very strong community identity. The responses to our appraisal from all sectors of the community reflected this widely held perception which is clearly focussed on what is perceived as the blend of rural and urban. This unique mix e.g. distinctive town centre, green spaces, variety of small retail units, street market and surviving social fabric was recognised by all who we have consulted, i.e. living, working or visiting the town.

Many valued and wished to retain the geographical distinctiveness of Chesham and it’s surrounding communities within the Chilterns. These factors clearly play a major part in the importance of the town to a wide hinterland.

A developing town and community that exploits this unique mix and character.



Green and accessible spaces

With a variety of open spaces in the town and Chesham’s close proximity to Chiltern’s AONB , green areas and walking or cycling routes are highly prized by the local community. A clear consensus expressed concern that development or decline in funding may reduce the extent or quality of these amenities, particularly in relation to Chesham’s park and the River Chess.


A town with safe, clean and accessible open spaces and access for all to the local countryside.
 
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