Village Design Statement
Douglas Kelman edited the VDS document from which this synopsis is prepared

The Village Design Statement developed through consultations was written by local residents and published during Millennium Year. It describes what is distinctive about the villages, and makes recommendations of how new buildings and extensions may enhance these characteristics. Ask the Parish Clerk to see a full text. Tel:(01454 -868370)

The village began as a cluster of hamlets close to quarries of red pennant sandstone. These hamlets include Brockridge, Adam’s Land, and Frampton End. This terrace of 18th century cottages at the hamlet of Harris Barton has steep roofs and stone chimney-stacks.
	These 18th century cottages have red-brown pan-tiles on a roof of pitch 45 to 65. They are along Main View with cement-render covering the stone walls, also a simple porch since the front-door opens into the sitting room.
This Victorian home in Woodend Road has yellow brick quoins and dressed stone along the frontage but the other walls are rubble stone. Wood windows have sashes and mullions while the steep roof is typical.
	This 19th century building in Park Lane was formerly a terrace of 4 homes, three storeys high, with an original stone chimney-stack far right. Also characteristic are pennant stone boundary walls, stone gateposts and usually a wrought iron gate.
Each of the hamlets retain higgledy-piggledy narrow lanes with their grass verges, while boundary walls are pennant stone with hen and chicken coping. This terrace at Harris Barton features a steeply sloping roof with gable ends and red-brown tiles.
	Overlooking Beesmoor Road Sports field are these Local Authority homes built in early 20th century with building materials and form that show sensitivity to local character. Some were purchased by the tenant who modified their appearance.
There was a rapid building-programme during second half of the 20th century when estates of semi-detached homes were built, generally of brick and render on what were paddocks between the stony outcrops. These homes in Rockside Gardens are typical of the period.
	The settlement boundary was precisely defined in the 1970s so the green-belt keeps each village distinct, and provides a habitat for wildlife of the countryside. Hedges are hawthorn or blackthorn with mature oak and ash as hedgerow trees.

Recommendations for new buildings

Roofs

Roof design should be simple with size in proportion to bulk of the building. Red-brown clay tiles are preferred in new homes. The use of dormers in 2-storey houses would be contrary to the village character. The walls of this house at The Land harmonise with a reconstructed pennant stone boundary wall.

Walls

This home in Clyde Road uses local stone in the frontage that blends with neighbouring properties. Bright red brick looks harsh while Bath and Portland stone are not characteristic of the area.

As a non standard feature they add interest to buildings. A small pointed sheltering roof provides a visual focal point.
 

Other considerations

The full V D S includes reference maps, also proposals for conserving historic properties, improving shops and services, developing roads and footpaths, protecting the rural landscape with its wildlife.