The Ashurst & Colbury Village Design Statement has been updated and revised. This was adopted by the New Forest National Park Authority on 23rd January 2025.
A village design statement (VDS) is a document that outlines the character of a village and provides design guidance for new development. VDSs are created by local people and are used to assess planning applications.
Purpose
• To improve the quality of design
• To manage change in a settlement
• To protect and enhance the village’s local character
• To ensure new development complements the local area
How it’s created
• Involves a cross-section of the community
• Is representative of the views of the village as a whole
• Is compatible with the statutory planning system
How it’s used By local planning authorities, By developers, By architects, and By residents.
How it’s approved
• Once approved as planning guidance, it’s used to assess planning applications for development and other changes within the village
What it covers
• The character of the built environment
• Design guidelines for new buildings, extensions, outbuildings, and boundary treatment