Haughton Rural Survey 1951

In 1951 Staffordshire County Council carried out a survey of rural villages under the 1947 Town and Country planning act.  It was thought by the Stafford Council Planning Officers to be the first in the country.The questionnaire asked the opinion of villagers regarding future development, with recommendations for better Social Services, and guidance of what historic buildings should be saved. The Chairman of the Staffordshire Parish Council Association said that there was increasing control from Whitehall and so they had decided to send the questionnaire to every Parish Council as they could give better information than a Surveyor or paid official.  This example from Haughton gives a flavour of what was being asked and is a snapshot of life in rural Staffordshire in 1951.