Village Design Statements Guidance
Village or Town Design Statements (VDS) are documents that describe the distinctive characteristics of their area. They provide guidelines to developers to help manage development so that the village’s essential character can remain. They are produced by local residents, in consultation the Council as local planning authority.
To assist, the Council has prepared a local guidance note on the preparation of Village Design Statements, including on their scope and content, and the procedure for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). National guidance on the preparation of Village Design Statements issued by the Countryside Commission (now Natural England) in 1996, also applies to their production. These guidance documents are also similarly relevant to the preparation of Town Design Statements. In order to achieve SPD status, both local and national guidance should be followed throughout the preparation process.
For further information or advice on Village Design Statements please email planningpolicy@testvalley.gov.uk
Details on additional options available for community planning can be found in our Community Planning Toolkit.