Village Design Statement
Almost 18 months ago, Stowe Nine Churches Parish Council made the decision to develop a “Village Design Statement” (VDS)
In late 2017, the Parish Council decided to proceed with the preparation of a “Village Design Statement” (VDS), and the process was launched at an open village meeting during November attended by almost 50 residents. Since then a Working Party has been established, through which almost 30 residents are participating in five sub-groups which are looking at different aspects of Village Design. These are:
• Landscape / setting
• Settlement pattern / views
• Open spaces / trees
• Buildings / design
• Highways / street furniture
The Village Design Statement will identify a series of design guidelines, and once it has been approved by the Parish Council, the intention is that it will be reviewed and in due course adopted by Daventry District Council as the local planning authority.
Once adopted, the Village Design Statement will become a supplementary planning document that will play a vital role in the planning process, by providing guidance to local authority planning officers about the feelings and perceptions of local residents; it will also help in improving understanding between the local community, landowners and other interested parties.