What is a Village Design Statement (VDS) ?

Many communities across the UK have produced a Village Design Statement. All of these communities strongly value their own environment and wish to ensure that new development in their community is sympathetic and sensitive to the existing character of their village.

A Village Design Statement is community led - not driven by the local planning department or outside organisations, but by individuals and groups within the local community. After all, they are the experts on what makes their village special.

Once complete, a design statement can give communities a say in how further development takes place. Whilst it cannot affect whether development will proceed, it can strongly influence the style of the new development, the siting, setting, and design.

The finished design statement can be used by Parish Councils, Borough Councils, developers and individuals. It can be used as a lever to guide new development and avoid many of the architectural problems that have occurred in the past.