Following the recent planning training that Akile Clinton attended, Akile has requested that the Parish Council looks into the feasibility to creating a Village Design Statement for Challock.

All Councillors agreed that this was a good idea and although it will be a big task it will be a very useful document for those wishing to submit a planning application and also for the Parish Council.

Clerk to advertise in the Forester, website and Kentish Express and a working group to be established. Akile confirmed that she is happy to lead the working group.

 I have carried out some research which I summarise below.

• Started by the countryside commission in 1993
• Only 13 out of 39 Parishes in the borough have a VDS
• Focus on design and local distinctiveness
• States how, rather than if or where development should happen, but cannot stop development.
• Conceived as a planning tool

Please look at the following link to the Kent Downs AONB Unit website where you can also download a copy of Wye’s VDS.

http://www.kentdowns.org.uk/vds.html

The following has been taken the following information from Kent Downs AONB Unit website.

What is a Village Design Statement?

It is a document, prepared by local people, that describes the distinctive character of a village, its buildings and surrounding countryside. A VDS should supplement local planning guidelines by giving more detailed guidance on appropriate designs for any developments within the village area. Design refers to the size, shape, scale and choice of materials used, all of which local people are uniquely placed to describe.

These detailed guidelines should be used by householders, developers and the local planning authority. Development can mean major new housing projects or just small-scale additions and alterations. The document is prepared by local people in consultation with the local planning authority.  

A VDS is unlike any other planning document or publication. It is the only planning advice directly applicable to the statutory planning system that is entirely community based.
 

What status does a VDS have within the planning system?

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 has changed the way village Design Statements can be adopted by local planning authorities. Previously they could be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. This has been replaced by Supplementary Planning Documents which have more stringent and onerous requirements. This situation is in review.

Currently, Village Design Statements can be adopted by the local planning authority as either material considerations or as Supplementary Planning Documents. Your local

planning department can advise you on which option they are currently supporting. Both material considerations’ and Supplementary Planning Documents must be considered for all planning applications along with all the other relevant planning guidance.

Supplementary Planning Documents can carry slightly more weight however; the new planning legislation means that for a VDS to achieve this status the document is subject to quite complicated and unclear requirements. For this reason many local authorities currently prefer to adopt Village Design Statements as a material consideration.

What are the Benefits?

The vast majority of communities who have undertaken a Village Design Statement have found it a satisfying and useful experience. Some of the key benefits include:

• An improved relationship between the community and local authority.
• The community has a greater influence over the design of new developments.
• A Village Design Statement can help ensure a higher quality of development.
• A smoother process for development proposals through the planning system.
• Less time and money is wasted through planning objections or planning appeal.
• It supports and strengthens the role of the Parish Council when consulted over planning applications.

How much does it cost?

The main cost is time. Other costs include public meetings, and the actual printing of the document. This depends on how fancy you make the meetings and document. On average Village Design Statements cost £2,500. Many Design Groups have made substantial savings through local business sponsorships, fundraising events, and grants from organisations like the Kent Downs AONB Unit and Local Authorities. Generally communities do not find it difficult to raise enough funds to complete the project.

How long can it take?

Usually a minimum of six months but it can take up to 2 years, it depends again on how fancy you make it and how quickly you work. Work closely with your local authority contact to make sure your drafts are ready in time for their internal consultations and for approval by the appropriate meetings of the council.

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Our next Parish Council meeting is on Thursday 24th November 2011 at 7.30pm in the Audrey Allen Room, Memorial Hall, Blind Lane. Everyone is welcome.

Challock Priamry School has just received an impressive "outstanding" Ofsted report covering all aspects of School life. 

Congratulations to the Head teacher, Staff and all concerned, including, of course, the children.