Village Design Statement

Kirby Hill & District Parish Council has formed a working group to prepare a Village Design Statement for the village of Kirby Hill. Many people feel that they have no say over what development takes place in the village. During 2003, at the A1(M) Motorway Services Public Inquiry, the people of Kirby Hill demonstrated that they do care about how development will affect their community and are prepared to do something about it. The problem is, once a developer has submitted a planning application it is often too late to influence developments, other than by objecting. A Village Design Statement offers a constructive solution to this dilemma.

A Village Design Statement sets out clear and simple guidance for the design of all development in a village, based on its character. It is an advisory document produced by the village community, not by the planning authority. It will not stop change from happening, but it can influence how any new building fits in to the village. Village Design Statements are intended to influence the operation of the planning system, so that new development is in harmony with its setting and makes a positive contribution to the immediate environment. A good example of a Village Design Statement, from Ripley, can be found here.

More general information on Village Design Statements can be found here. Notes of the Village Design Working Group meetings and (when available) the draft Village Design Statement can be found here. We aim to have the Kirby Hill Village Design Statement adopted as supplementary planning guidance by Harrogate Borough Council. This means that developers will have to show how they have taken account of it when they submit a planning application.

The Village Design Statement working group meets monthly. If you would like to contribute to the Kirby Hill Village Design Statement, please contact one of the working group:

Name Tel E-mail

Jean Graham 01423 322847 graham3560@freeserve.com

Alison Ireland 01423 325345 alisonireland@cygnethealth.co.uk

Gareth Owens 01423 324463 gareth.owens@kirbyhill.org

Gerald Smailes 01423 322507 stjohnswalk36@aol.com