Getting a VDS project off the ground can be the first hurdle to overcome. Firstly, it is important to become familiar with the Countryside Agencies guidance on how to manage the project.

It is likely that you are in contact with a few people in the village who are concerned about new building development and future village character, and wish to do something constructive about it. A common first step is to get together and organise an open meeting, which is widely publicised to the whole village. You should invite a local council representative to speak about the Village Design Statement concept and the local authorities position on it. If you are in the Rockingham Forest area you could also ask the Rockingham Forest Trust to speak about what’s involved in the process.

The meeting could end with an open discussion to assess the level of concern amongst residents over new building issues, and the interest in having a Village Design Statement. If enough people are keen to go ahead, you should use this as an opportunity to recruit volunteers to form a project ‘steering group’. This group should drive the project forwards, organising subsequent events and publicity, and eventually drafting the design statement. The first event will be a character workshop, to walk the village streets and record what’s valued about current village character.

A sensible idea is to set up a ‘board’ to oversee the project and ensure the VDS is on track to achieving Supplementary Planning Guidance. The board should have a representative from the local council, your parish council, the Rockingham Forest Trust (if you are in our area), and the chair of your newly formed VDS steering group.