Village Design Statements
Village Design Statements (VDS) and Parish Design
Statements (PDS) are tools that local
communities can use to influence the design of new development
locally by identifying, describing and analysing local character
and drawing guidance directly from this character.
All rural settlements undergo change. This may be small
incremental change or there may be pressure for major new
development, but in either case a VDS or PDS offers a practical way to
set high standards of design that respect local character and
patterns of development. New development can then begin to enhance
rather than detract from the quality of the village or parish.
If the VDS
or PDS is
adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance (see below for how the
new planning system affects the status of a Village Design
Statement or Parish Design Statement) it can be used by planning
officers in evaluating planning applications for the village or
parish, and could even be used as evidence in a planning
appeal.
Village or Parish Design Statements and the Local Development
Framework
Village Design Statements or Parish Design Statements are
managed and organised by the local community and must represent the
views and ideas of the village as a whole. Under the Local Plan
Village or Parish Design Statements may have been adopted as
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG), whereas, under
the new Local Development Framework Village Design Statements and
Parish Design Statements may be adopted as Supplementary Planning
Documents (SPD). The arrangements
for adopting Village Design Statements or Parish Design Statements
during the period of transition to the Local Development Framework
are complex and whether a Village or Parish Design Statement is
adopted as SPG or SPD depends on several
factors. We are keen to continue to adopt Village and Parish
Design Statements as supplementary guidance as this gives them some
weight in the planning system.
Whilst the document belongs to the local community, for legal
reasons the Planning Officers will need to assess how they
interpret into the existing planning policies. They must be robust
enough for planning officers to put them into active use in
decisions on applications. We will be happy to provide support and
advice to local communities in the drafting and adoption of their
Village or Parish Design Statements.
Village Design Statements and Parish Design Statements within
the Ashford Borough
- Charing Parish Design Statement - Coming Soon
What a Village Design Statement or Parish Design Statement
cannot do
A VDS
or PDS cannot,
however, determine whether or not development should take place,
which is the job of the borough Local Plan, nor can it address
matters such as the ongoing management or maintenance of buildings
or spaces, or the provision of community facilities within the
village.
If there are issues that arise during consultation about which
there is strong local consensus but that are outside the scope of
the VDS or
PDS, it may be
worth using this information through another channel such as a
Village Appraisal or Parish Plan, or to lobby the relevant
organisation/authority.
Preparing a Village or Parish Design Statement
More information can be found on the
Countryside Agency website.
For further information please email the Planning and Development
Unit or telephone 01233 330 264.
This webpage was updated on 10/13/2008