Introduction

• A description of the VDS and its aims and objectives.
• The local planning context into which the VDS will fit.

The village context

• A brief description of the geographic and historic background
• A short description of the village as it is today, its people, economics and prospects
• Any special considerations that affect development pressures in the village, such as tourism, mineral extraction etc.

The landscape setting

• The visual character of the surrounding countryside
• The relationship between the surrounding countryside and the village edges
• The relationship between the village and any special landscape features, such as ancient monuments, woodlands or nature reserves
• Buildings in the landscape, e.g. farm buildings

Settlement pattern

• Overall pattern of village, distinct zones and layouts
• Character of streets and routes through the village
• Character and pattern of open spaces in the village and connections with the wider countryside
• The relationship between buildings and spac
es

Buildings and spaces

• The character of distinct areas of building types
• The height, scale and density of buildings
• The mix of sizes, styles and types of buildings
• Hedges, walls and fences
• Distinctive village features, materials or building details

Highways and traffic