Maintaining control of local identity is not easy. Stratford District Council's Andrew Wharton describes an initiative that helps villagers articulate their sense of place. Village design is a subject that tends to be thought of by many as an exclusive topic, reserved only for professionals and out of the jurisdiction of local people. This, of course, is not the case at all. Responsive and appropriate village design has to be based on a clear understanding of the area and a thorough assessment of a locality's distinct character.
Village life is about place and people and the complex relationship that exists between the two.
With a unique appreciation of the place you live and its physical character there comes an opportunity to set down a record of local characteristics together with some guidance on how this should influence the design of new development. This doesn't necessarily mean that new development should merely replicate local features or buildings. Good design takes account of existing character by integrating and responding to local context and place-specific qualities. . In an effort to promote a more sensitive approach to design, the Countryside Agency's Village Design Statement initiative encourages local people to make an assessment of local character based upon their own knowledge and perception of their village and its surroundings. Community participation is at the heart of the initiative and co-ordinating community groups and Parish Councils aim to involve as many people as possible during the project, through workshops, exhibitions and other interactive activities.