Preparing the Village Design Statement for

Warmington

NEARLY THERE!

 Final Newsletter: February 2003

 
 

Just over a year ago, a small group met in the Village Hall, and so began work on preparing the Village Design Statement (VDS).  None of us were experts, but we were

In the last year the Steering Group has met a  further 7 times, organised an all-day workshop in April, a walk around the village and  farm walks; and issued 2 other Newsletters

enthusiastic, and all wanted to get involved in helping the community.  We were fortunate that there was good guidance from the Countryside Agency, and we could learn from others experiences – examples of completed VDSs showed us what we were aiming for.  It was an exciting challenge

A VDS will not stop development, but it should ensure that future development, however big or small, fits in with the village character.  

and 3 Press Releases.  Over the Golden Jubilee and Heritage Open Days Weekends we put on small exhibitions, with survey forms for people to complete.  Over 100 completed forms were received after each event.

 To enable this work to proceed, we have been fund-raising.  We are extremely grateful to all those within the village who made donations; and we thank ‘Awards for All’ who made a very substantial grant in excess of £3,000.

We have benefited from advice, guidance and encouragement from Rockingham Forest Trust, Northamptonshire Acre, the Parish Council and East Northamptonshire Council, all of which are represented on the Project Board that has overseen the Project.  CPRE have also given very helpful advice.
 

All of our work has enabled us to identify and understand the character of the village.  This is set out in the draft VDS.  Obviously buildings are the most important part, but the document also covers landscape issues and highways.  Finally, there are the important ‘Guidelines for Development’ – this is what builders, developers and architects will have to take into account.

What happens now?

We are now busy preparing a draft of the final document.  That will be launched for public consultation, hopefully, in mid-March.  Copies will be available from the Post Office – look out for posters announcing its arrival.  In mid-April we will prepare the final version, and that will go forward to East Northamptonshire Council for them to adopt as Supplementary Planning Guidance.  By the end of July, the whole exercise will have been completed.

Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all who have helped over the past 12 months.  It has been very encouraging that so many have supported us, offering help in a variety of ways.  It has also been excellent that the village website has kept people aware of what is going on.  When the VDS is adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance, it should ensure that planning applications are better informed, and permissions, when granted will reflect the character of Warmington. 

William Du Croz: Chairman of the Steering Group