Membury: It's Future?

There is a widely held view that the opinions of parishioners and their representatives do not carry enough weight with the planning authorities. It is, therefore, welcome news that we are all invited to contribute to a report called the Membury Village Design Statement. This will include a description of the distinctive character of our village and the surrounding countryside. This character is made up of the landscape setting, the shape of our settlement and the nature of the buildings within it. We are to have a hand in managing the change that must inevitably occur here over time.

Our village has grown and changed through the centuries to the point where the ‘Black Line' drawn by the Planning Authority leaves virtually no room for further new building. However, this does not mean that there can be no alterations or extensions to existing houses within the parish. It is the type and style of these that we are asked to consider for inclusion as part of our Village Design Statement.

It is proposed that we look at all the houses in the parish to decide first whether there are any characteristics that are uniquely ‘Membury'. Then we need to consider design features in both old and new properties which seem to harmonise with their surroundings and which might, with benefit, be considered when new works are proposed.

Clearly there will be differences of opinion on these issues and it is this mix which the ad hoc team, formed to prepare our Design Statement, will want to hear about. After a process of consultation and discussion, the Parish's Statement on its preferences in relation to extensions and alterations will be set out. It will be necessary to leave room for future imaginative proposals but this Statement is to comment positively on features we should like to see in new projects.

The Statement will also cover the Parish's views on our immediate environment, drawing attention to features that we are keen to maintain or encourage.

When the Village Design Statement as been accepted by the Planning Authority, it will become Supplementary Planning Guidance and as such will always be referred to when deciding on Planning Applications. The Parish's view will, therefore, become part of the planning criteria; this is a new and positive step. As a Membury parishioner your participation in this process is not only welcome - it is vital!

To learn more about the Membury Village Design Statement and the part you can play in its preparation, come to the Annual Parish Meeting at the Village Hall on Monday 23^rd April at 7.30 pm - and enjoy some cheese and wine too!