Residents in fifteen villages across the Selby district have been working with Selby District Council to prepare a series of Village Design Statements (VDS) that will be used to help make planning decisions. 

A Village Design Statement is a planning document intended to give advice and guidance to anyone who is considering any form of development in the village no matter how large or small. It sets out the elements that make up local character in order to improve the quality of design in any new development. It covers relatively straightforward work such as replacing doors and windows as well as more significant work such as building extensions and new buildings. 

Local people have been out surveying their villages, researching the history and putting together the documents to make clear to developers what the local character is.

Village Design Statements for the following villages are available for public consultation until 12 September 2011. They will then be adopted in to the new Local Development Framework. Applicants can use these to assist in applying for planning permission and planners can use it to determine planning applications.

• Appleton Roebuck
• Barlow
• Bilborough
• Brotherton
• Byram
• Carlton
• Church Fenton
• Hensall
• Monk Fryston
• Newton Kyme
• North Duffield
• Riccall
• Stutton cum Hazelwood
• Ulleskelf
• Womersley

Leader of Selby District Council, Councillor Mark Crane said, "It is vital that the Council works with local people to improve the quality of design and help protect the unique identities of our villages. It is important that all development is respectful to its location so we don't end up with 'anywhere' development.

"A design that works in one village could be completely unsuitable in another. These documents will help make sure that any new development is well designed and appropriate visually for the location."

The Village Design Statements must be offered to the community for comments before they can be used, and therefore people in the villages are encouraged to read the one relevant to them. Copies of the VDS are available for inspection on our website by clicking here or at the following locations:

• Access Selby, Market Cross Shopping Centre, Selby
• Selby Library, 52 Micklegate
• Sherburn in Elmet Library, Finkle Hill
• Tadcaster Library, Station Road
• Barlby Library, Howden Road
• Or please see your Parish Council

Comments are invited on each of the Village Design Statements, and people have until 12 September to make their views known. All comments must be made in writing, and sent to
Mr A McMillan
Policy Officer
Selby District Council
Doncaster Road
SELBY YO8 9FT

Or via e-mail to: amcmillan@selby.gov.uk

For an informal discussion about Village Design Statements, please telephone 01757 292 092 or see your Parish Council.