Village Design Statements

What is a village design statement?

Put simply, it's a document which describes the visual character of a village.

Why is that useful?

It helps to show how local character and distinctiveness can be protected and enhanced in new development.

Who decides what it says?

Everybody! A Statement is developed, researched and written by local people, and should be broadly representitive of the views of the village as a whole.

Will it stop development?

No - that isn't its purpose. Development itself is controlled by the local planning authority through policies in the Local Plan, which you can influence in other ways.

So what good is it really?

A Village Design Statement can be approved by the planning authority as supplementary guidance which would influence the style of any kind of future development, small or large, to ensure that it fits in with the character of the place.

But there shouldn't be any new development in our village!

Maybe. But even the most 'timeless' of villages changes, however slowly, and the combination of small, thoughtless alterations can collectively begin to spoil a place. Look carefully around your village and see if that isn't already happening.

But all this is really for small, pretty villages, isn't it?

Not necessarily! Everywhere has its own character and producing a Statement can help uncover the best of it, perhaps particularly where insensitive development has already taken place.

If I want to know more what can I do?

Contact the Lancashire CPRE, who are working with the Countryside Commision on Village Design Statements in Lancashire. We might ask you to help us promote the scheme in your own village, or put you in touch with a group of people already interested in beginning work on a statement.

I'm not an architect or designer you know!

That doesn't matter - all sorts of skills will be useful. And the most important thing is your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the very special place where you live.

 

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