A–Z index:

West Grimstead Village Design Statement

Over the past few years a working group from the village of West Grimstead (to the south east of Salisbury) has been working with Salisbury District Council to prepare guidelines to help shape future development in their village. These are to be set out in a Village Design Statement (VDS).

Village Design Statements are a form of planning guidance, promoted by the Countryside Agency and Salisbury District Council, to inform the design of new development. Their aim is to encourage developers and householders to design new buildings or extensions (and other elements such as fences and outbuildings) so that they are in keeping with existing local character. A key aspect of Village Design Statements is that they are written and researched by local communities, with only advisory input from the district council, and so represent a community view of how new development should be designed in order to retain a sense of place.

When adopted, Village Design Statements become Supplementary Planning Guidance which means they are a consideration which the council must take into account when determining planning applications.

Formal Public Consultation

The West Grimstead Village Design Statement is the product of extensive research by the local community which has already been the subject of public consultation during its draft stages.

The Village Design Statement has now reached the stage where it can be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Before this can happen it must be subject to a statutory six week period of public consultation to ensure that all interested parties have had the opportunity to make comment.

Accordingly, a formal public consultation period will run from 1 September 2005 to 13 October 2005. During this time all interested parties may make formal representations to the district council.

Viewing the Proposals

You can view the draft West Grimstead Village Design Statement on this website. Paper copies of the document are available to view at the council's planning office and at Salisbury Central Library.

An exhibition will be held at West Grimstead Village Hall on 11th September between 2pm and 4pm. This will give the local community the opportunity to see what is being proposed. All interested parties are welcome to attend.

Having your Say

There are two main channels through which you can make your comments about the West Grimstead Village Design Statement:

In writing, either using one of the official response forms or by conventional letter. All written responses should be returned to:
Forward Planning and Conservation
The Planning Office, 61 Wyndham Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3AH
Email your comments to forwardplanning@salisbury.gov.uk

All submitted responses must clearly state the name and address of the individual making comment. You should also indicate whether your views are in support or objection, or whether you are simply making an observation concerning the published proposals.

All responses must be made by 5pm on 13 October 2005 in order to be considered. Late responses will not be accepted.

What happens next ?

The council will consider all responses at the end of the consultation period and where necessary make changes to the guidance. All individuals making comments will be informed of how their representation was considered prior to the adoption of the Village Design Statement as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Data protection statement

The information collected in the response forms will be used only Salisbury District Council for the purposes of this consultation exercise. You should note, however, that response forms will be available for public inspection at the Planning Office. If you do not wish your personal details to be made public, please make this known in your response.

If you have any queries about these proposals, please contact Forward Planning on 01722 434391 or at forwardplanning@salisbury.gov.uk