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Editorial Committee
Chairman Graham Virgo
Production Editor Jackie Hough
Advertising Claire Twydell,
42 Stocks Lane Tel: 01767 650113 Contact Advertising

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Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the items included but the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Committee.

DESIGNS ON GAMLINGAY

by Lindsay Styles

Do you think Gamlingay has character?

If your answer to that question is ‘YES’, then you really do need to help Gamlingay in the preparation of a Village Design Statement to preserve its distinctive characteristics.

So what is a village design statement you ask? Why should I be interested in that? Read on and you will find out some more.

What is a Village Design Statement?

The idea of Village Design Statements (VDS) came from central Government (but don't let that put you off!) in their attempt to support Countryside Commission's work to understand and influence the design and development of rural areas. The VDS was intended to help rural communities influence local planning activities.

If villagers constructed a statement developers would get a better sense of residents views and concerns regarding their village at the start of any planning process. In other words, if we act now we can prevent the distinct character of Gamlingay being destroyed in the future.

It is important to realise that although the village statement does not help decide whether development will take place or not, the local plan does that, it will provide guidance on how planned developments will fit in with the village setting and have a beneficial effect on the local environment.

Who else will use it?

Changes in a village can come from things that happen on a day to day basis. You may make lterations to your own home, garden and outbuildings. Others make changes to hedgerows, trees and open spaces, any of which could affect the overall look and feel of the entire settlement. So the statement is for everyone's guidance.

  • statutory bodies & public authorities
  • planners designers developers, architects, builders, engineers
  • local community groups
  • households, farms and businesses
What you can do

About 12 villagers (not a lot from a population of over 3,000!) of differing ages and backgrounds responded to the leaflet in the Gazette a couple of months ago and the first meeting has been held.

To start this lengthy process off the people who came to the meeting have split into several groups. They will go out and about in the village to look at and gather information and opinions on:

Community and Economy, which will include:

Description of the village, it's people, economics and future prospects. Historical background and the geography. Any special considerations that affect the village

Landscape and wildlife, which will include:

The look of the countryside round the village and the boundaries. The relationship between the village and any special landscape features eg. woodlands and nature reserves Buildings seen in the landscape eg. farm buildings

Settlement, which will include

General pattern of the village and the type of streets through it The relationship between buildings and spaces. How the village connects with the open countryside and the pattern of open spaces within the village.

Buildings, which will include

The look of distinct areas of building types. The height, scale, density, mixture of styles, sizes and types of buildings. Hedges, walls and fences

Highways, which will include

Characteristics of local roads. Footpaths, cycle paths and parking. Street furniture, utilities and services.

So which area will you have something to say about? The VDS has begun to be researched and developed. The team initiating this needs your input and help now and in the next few months.

Living in a village like Gamlingay, that is constantly under threat from planners and developers, involvement in preparing and publishing a Village Design Statement will prove an invaluable investment for the future.

The VDS is about managing change not stopping it and the whole village needs to be involved for it to be fully accepted. It is no good if it is made up of the views of only a few residents. You will have a lot to offer the project whether you have lived here all your life or just a few months. All you have to do is be brave enough fill in the reply slip. After all...why not?

We want to hear from you all - internet readers from around the world, yes your views are of interest to us.

Comments on the Village Design Statement