Village Design Statement and Parish Plan
A Village Design Statement (VDS) sets out the characteristics villagers would like to see incorporated in developments that take place in their parish. The Liss VDS was completed in 2000 after wide consultation with the local community, and accepted by East Hants District Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance. This means that while its recommendations are not mandatory, developers and planning authorities are expected to have regard to its provisions.
To meet changes in Government planning arrangements, the VDS is currently being updated to ensure that it still carries weight when planning applications are considered. The work is being undertaken as part of a wider exercise to produce a Parish Plan. A Parish Plan covers social, economic and environmental issues. The end product is an Action Plan for the community, which can be instrumental in attracting funding for the improvement of the Parish’s facilities.
Both the revised VDS and the wider Parish Plan will be the subject of extensive consultation within the community before it is approved. Co-ordination of the preparatory work is being undertaken by the Parish Council in conjunction with the Village Design Group (VDG). Anyone wishing to participate in the preparation should contact the Parish Clerk or Margaret Effenberg, the Chairman of the VDG, on parishplan@lissparishcouncil.gov.uk
Current Progress (June 2011)
An exhibition was held on 3 and 4 June to consult villagers about the draft of the updated Village Design Statement (VDS), and the remaining issues which need to be addressed in the final Parish Plan. The new draft VDS remains open for consultation until the 29 July and can be viewed on the homepage of this website.
A number of villagers expressed interest at the exhibition of joining the VDG to help complete the work on the Parish Plan. The detailed comments on the Parish Plan will now be considered by the enhanced group. They will put together a questionnaire to establish a final view on the issues that should be addresed in the Parish Plan. This questionnaire will go to all households in Liss in September.
Parish Landscape Character Assessment
Parish Landscape Character Assessment may be viewed here (1.73MB).
The Parish Landscape Character Assessment can also be viewed in the Parish Office. A copy can also be purchased for £5 from the Parish Office.