village design statement

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Village design statement (VDS) is a term of English rural planning practice.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011 |title=Community Led Planning |url=http://www.acre.org.uk/our-work/community-led-planning |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405134132/http://www.acre.org.uk/our-work/community-led-planning |archive-date=5 April 2011 |website=ACRE – Action with Communities in Rural England |via=Internet Archive}} A VDS is a document that describes the distinctive characteristics of the locality, and provides design guidance to influence future development and improve the physical qualities of the area.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Village Design Statements |url=http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/CC/landscape/village/index.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111155528/http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/CC/landscape/village/index.asp |archive-date=11 November 2007 |website=Natural England |via=Internet Archive}}

Drawing up the VDS provides an opportunity for communities to describe how they feel the physical character of their parish can be enhanced. Rural community councils support local communities in the production of village design statements.{{Cite web |title=Community Led Planning |url=https://www.essexrcc.org.uk/community-led-planning |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=Rural Community Council of Essex |language=en}}