Beyond the Village Plan

Back to Village Plan

Last year Lindfield established its Village Plan the implementation of which is being monitored by the Lindfield Village Plan Joint Advisory Committee. One of the actions in the Village Plan is “To prepare and issue a Village Design Statement” and discussions with officers from MSDC have begun to enable the village to achieve this.

An effective Village Design Statement:

• is developed, researched, and written by local people
• reflects the representative views of the community
• involves a wide cross section of residents in its production
• describes the visual character of the village
• demonstrates how local character and distinctiveness can be protected and enhanced in new development
• is compatible with the statutory planning system and its local application
• is about managing change in the village, not preventing it

The Lindfield Village Design Statement (LVDS) will build on the Village Plan. It will comprise simple guidance for the design of all development in Lindfield and will be produced by the village community, not by the planning authority. The LVDS is intended to influence the operation of the statutory planning system; so that new development is in harmony with the village and makes a positive contribution to the immediate environment. When complete it will become a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and therefore have to be taken into account by the planning authority when it makes planning decisions. 

We are now seeking a wide cross section of residents to help in the production of the LVDS. To be able to make a contribution you do not need to have design or planning knowledge, although anyone having these particular skills would also be very welcome. 

If you are interested in helping produce the LVDS and therefore assisting in making it fully representative of the wishes of Lindfield residents please contact John Jesson on 01444 483367.