Village Design Statement and Conservation Area Appraisal

What is a Village Design Statement (VDS)?

The following objectives were set out for Village Design Statements by the Countryside Commission:

To describe the distinctive character of the village and the surrounding countryside; at three levels:

1.The landscape setting of the village

2. The shape of the settlement

3  The nature of the buildings themselves.

They were to be used to:

• draw up design principles based on the distinctive local character and
• to work in partnership with the local planning authority 

  

An effective Village Design Statement

Is developed, researched, written and edited by local people, represents the views of the village as a whole and has involved a wide section of the village community in its production.

Describes the visual character of the village and demonstrates how local character and distinctiveness can be protected and enhanced in new development.

Is compatible with the statutory planning system and the local planning context. and is suitable for approval as supplementary planning guidance.   (Although no more will be adopted it still provides a reference point for planning representations).

 Is applicable to all forms and scale of development and is about managing change in the village, not preventing it.

It is a tool for planners, not an instruction or plea to them.

We are fortunate to be living (mostly) in Conservation Areas.  

The appraisals for those areas have been developed in accordance with the above objectives and guidelines and have benefitted from a considerable input from local people.

They are now available on the net, via this website (or the Basingstoke and Deane website) and we judge that it would be futile to duplicate that work. 

However, now that they are available we are all able to review their content.  Please look at them, there may be errors or omissions and make your views known to your Parish Councillors.  Your view of the quality and content of these appraisals  will help them with decisions on new planning applications.

You may think that they are too "prescriptive" or not rigid enough.  Perhaps they do not take into sufficient consideration traffic flows through the villages.  Whatever your views your councillors would like to hear them either formally by letter or email or in normal day to day conversation. 

We have made requests for the Conservation Areas to be extended to include Andwell and more of Up Nately.   This is not likely to happen, in the near future. It It is an expensive operationand clearly limits flexiblity once undertaken.  

There may, however, be people among our Parishioners who would like to undertake this "extension" as an exercise, using the Conservation Area Appraisals as a model.  It could be publlished on the website and may very well have value in guiding future development. 

There have also been developments outside of the conservation areas at Canal Reach and the Hollies which have had an influence on the character of the villages.

That influence, however we view it, needs to be captured and incorporated for future planning decisions.  Again, any offers would be gratefully received.

Meanwhile, see the next item for links to the current Appraisals.

Conservation Area Appraisals

for Mapledurwell, Up Nately and The Basingstoke Canal

The full colour appraisal documents and accompanying maps can be downloaded from the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council website.

Village Design Statements

If you would like to view VDS documents for other villages, visit the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council website.