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Background
Village Design
Statements were introduced in 1996 by the then Countryside Commission to protect
"the rich and varied character of the English countryside" that was believed to
be under threat from standardisation and poor design. In order to understand,
influence and improve rural design the Commission developed the VDS to focus
attention on the three themes of regional diversity, local distinctiveness and
harmony (between buildings, settlements and the wider landscape setting).
In December 2002
Tarporley was the first village in Cheshire to have its VDS approved as
Supplementary Planning Guidance. Whitegate and Marton followed in 2003 and
Hartford in 2005. Weaverham and Moulton are both currently preparing a VDS.
Hartford
Since early
in 2004 the Society worked with village residents, under the leadership of Keith Sexton,
and with the support of Vale Royal Borough Council, on developing a Village Design Statement for Hartford. This
was done in
close cooperation with the Parish Council who managed the development of The Parish Plan -
which was recently published and distributed to all residents.
These two documents provide
a statement of what is important for the people who live within the village.
Whilst this VDS deals primarily with planning issues the Parish Plan covers the
wider societal issues.
Village
Design Statements are unique in that they offer a positive way for the
residents to influence the way that the statutory planning system operates
locally. Indeed, if adopted by Vale Royal Borough Council they become
Supplementary Planning Guidance.
A Village
Design Statement (VDS) is a mechanism that allows the views and wishes of
the village to be taken into account when changes to buildings and landscape
are proposed.
It is a tool
to help manage change in both buildings, landscape and other development,
whether large or small, in a way that reflects and harmonises with the local
character of its buildings, spaces and landscape setting.
It is not
about whether or not a development should take place; that is the job for
the Local Plan. It is not meant to, and will not stop development and change
from happening. It will however help influence how any new development fits
into the village, respecting the qualities and characteristics that village
residents have indicated that they value.
Many people
contributed to the Hartford VDS by either working on the document itself or
participating at the open meetings, and we are delighted that it has been
brought to fruition.
The final document was submitted to the Borough Council
in early December and was adopted as Supplementary Planning
Guidance at the meeting of the Full Council on 27th February 2005. (It had
previously been passed by the Environmental and Executive Committees)
The document has now been published.
You can download a pdf file of the final document.
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