Village Design Statement.
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A follow on from the Village Plan.
Since the acceptance of the Village Plan a number of initiatives were put into action, the Design Statement being an extremely important part of them. It is being acted on by Tom Graham who explains what is entailed below.

"In response to popular demand when the Parish Plan was being prepared, the village has just started preparing a Village Design Statement.  A Village Design Statement is different from a Parish Plan.  It will give guidance on good building design practice, to anyone considering any building work in the village – whether it be a new house, an outbuilding, an extension, or even just new windows.  It is not about whether future development may take place, but about what it should look like if it does.  Ours will be based on an analysis of what is best and distinctive in existing buildings in Houghton & Bossington.  This is, unusually, a project which actually allows the village to have a direct and legally recognised say in the planning process.  When completed, it will be formally adopted by Test Valley Borough Council – after which it will have official standing as guidance within the planning system.  So we can really make our views count !

Village Design Statement Questionnaire

The Village Design Statement Action Group need your help in creating the Village Design Statement for Houghton & Bossington by completing an important Questionnaire. 

This is a rare opportunity to make your views felt in the planning system.

Hard copies of the Questionnaire are being distributed to all households by hand, but extra copies can be downloaded here (in pdf format).

The Questionnaire

Responses to the Questionnaire will provide us with the views of the village on design issues. 

Your contribution will be anonymous (unless you do not want it to be).

The questions are straight-forward, and in most cases you only need to circle a printed number to express your view.  The process should take about 20 minutes.

Returning completed Questionnaires:

Please hand in or post your completed Questionnaire at/to one of these six collection points:

(1) The Boot Inn (collection box);

(2) Carolyn Bowen , Cherry Tree, Houghton SO20 6LW (four houses north of The Boot);

(3) Phil Jones , The Old Post Office, Houghton SO20 6LW (north of the Village Hall across the road); 

(4) Philip Page , Chapel Cottage, Houghton SO20 6LU (just north of Chapel Close);  

(5) Nick Harding , Lavender Cottage, Faithfulls Drove, Houghton SO20 6LT; or

(6) Tom Graham, Test Lodge, Horsebridge Road , Houghton SO20 6LY (last house on the left).

You can also scan and email your completed Questionnaire to houghtonvds@gmail.com.  If emailing, please ensure you scan both sides of the completed Questionnaire.

Please return your completed questionnaire by 15th October 2010.

Prize !

The names of villagers who have submitted questionnaires fully completed and returned by the 15th October 2010 will be eligible for inclusion in a Prize Draw.  See the Form on page 9 below.  The first eligible name drawn will receive a token for a two course meal for two at The Boot Inn.

Village Design Statement Action Group:  Carolyn Bowen, Tom Graham, Liz Hammond , Nick Harding , Philip Page , Phil Jones

click here to download a copy of the VDS questionaire.