Village design statement (VDS) is a term of English rural planning practice. A VDS is a document that describes the distinctive characteristics of the locality, and provides design guidance to influence future development and improve the physical qualities of the area. Due to the rural bias of many communities and the large urban majority in the UK its often considered in the context of
urban planning
Urban planning, also known as town planning, city planning, regional planning, or rural planning, is a technical and political process that is focused on the development and design of land use and the built environment, including air, water, ...
although it was developed for the rural setting.
Drawing up the VDS provides an opportunity for communities to describe how they feel the physical character of their
parish
A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or ...
can be enhanced.
Rural community councils support local communities in the production of village design statements.
Originally the VDSs focused on only the built environment, but due to development in the surveying methods they began to include elements of service provision and have largely been superseded by village action plans.
See also
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Auroville Village Action Group
The Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG) is a non-governmental organization based in Irumbai which is situated close to Auroville in the Villupuram district, located in Tamil Nadu, India. It is committed to grass roots community building togeth ...
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Parish plan
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Village development committee (India)
External links
Natural England Village Design Statements UK government website
Rural Community Council of EssexChelmsford Borough VDSRippingale Village Design Committee website
Town and country planning in England
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