"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 !

An initial ‘Action Group’ has been formed, consisting at this stage of Tom Graham, Nick Harding and Philip Page , with help from Vibi Saunders .  It would be great if more people could join up, for what promises to be an interesting project with real significance for the long-term future of the village.  You don’t need technical skills, and you will not have to make a major long-term commitment (unless you want to).  There will, for example, be really useful work to be done on a more temporary basis when a photographic survey of the village is carried out.   Enthusiasm about the future look of the village is the main requirement !  There will also be a public consultation of the entire parish in due course.  If you are interested in getting involved, at any level, please contact Tom Graham on 01794 388 352 or thomas.graham@newsquarechambers.co.uk ”