Village Design Statements

A Village Design Statement (VDS) sets out clear and simple guidance for future development in the Parish.

VDS are community prepared documents, which give guidance to developers and individuals to encourage good design of the type that will enhance and protect the individual character of the locality, without preventing future growth.

Successful VDS must be well-written documents, which can complement existing planning guidance to give communities a recognised voice in the planning process. Preparing a VDS may lead to a better understanding between the local community and the Planning Authority, and assists the Parish Council in commenting on planning applications.

In some areas VDS' may be adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents and and become part of the Local Development Framework.
Supplementary Planning Documents must have undergone sustainability appraisals. In order to achieve this the Parish must work closely with the Planning Department of their local District Council.

How the RCC can help

• Give advice on advertising a Public Meeting to promote the project
• Give advice on how to undertake the project
• Offer a toolkit for preparing a Village Design Statement
• Give advice on who to contact in your local area for help
• The RCC is unable to attend meetings of Village Design Statement steeering groups.