Village Design seminar a success

A seminar organised by the CEP on Village Design Statements (VDSs) on 6 March 1997 was a great success, attended by over seventy people, including representatives from twelve Parish Councils, several Residents Associations, six Architect firms and representatives from the Council's Planning Section and the Planning Committee.

The day opened with a short address by Councillor Shirley Smart, Chairman of the Planning Committee, who endorsed their support hr the scheme, followed by introductions to VDSs by Ashley Curzon and Paul Airey of the Planning Section.

VDSs have been developed by the Countryside Commission and successfully piloted in other counties. The Statements are guidelines which have been written by local people about the distinctive architectural qualities of their buildings, the form in which these buildings relate to the landscape and the type of materials used. They will state how these qualities should be either respected or emulated in any new development taking place so as to retain the unique character of the place and will be used as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Steve Briggs from South Somerset District Council explained how the scheme has worked there, showing several inspiring slides of sensitive modern housing developments which resulted from local VDSs, clearly demonstrating how communities can influence future developments in their area.

The Council's Conservation Officer, lan Smith, gave a brief introduction to local building styles and discussed the sort of developments which we, as an Island community, should be looking to build in the future.

Already, several villages have already expressed an interest in doing a VDS and St Helens Parish Council have taken up the challenge to produce the pilot VDS on the Island.

The CEP would like to thank the Association of Parish and Town Councils, Rural Action and others who have worked so hard to make this event a success. If you wish to know more about VDSs, contact Rachel Nightingale on 822118.

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