Pirton Village Design Statement

Action

RHM reported that he had taken over responsibility for fundraising from Geoff Collins who was very tied up with other matters.  Geoff has also retired from the committee and joined the editorial sub-group. 

The problem of not getting enough funding was raised.    RHM went to CVS and met Claire Hayncourt in Hitchin who informed him of the requirements of ‘Awards for All’ (National Lottery).   The five key points are:

1. The current 94% success rate means that it isn’t necessary to apply for a grant from a second source
2. We are applying for the maximum of £5,000.         
3. The next submission deadline is 20^th February for a decision by the end of March.
4. The grant must be spent within 12 months of award, but there is some flexibility in the system
5. Grants had been made for VDSs before.
    

Editorial sub-group activities leading to the first draft.

AMB had produced an outline based on the proforma in the Countryside Commission’s document on Village Design, but adapted for Pirton’s needs.  He had then attempted to fit the sub-group submissions into this outline.  This is the document that has been circulated by email.  It demonstrates that there is a surplus of information in some areas, and lack of important information elsewhere.  In particular the references to the Local Area Plan are largely missing.  The other subgroups are invited to make their submissions to fill the gaps.

RHM produced an outline showing the space allocation for each of these parts with a view of showing the target amounts of writing and to provide a framework within which the graphic designers could start work.  Chris Ryan was to deal with some graphics for the outside cover.

Policy numbers from the 1996 Local Plan need to be incorporated.  This plan will be current until at least 2006.  It was also important that the conservation areas V1 – V4 as shown on the map should be highlit, perhaps on a map in the centre spread, complete with inset pictures of notable landmarks.  Geoff Collins would find if that map is available for reproduction, and on what terms.

It was important to refer to the Village Appraisal as well as perform the Village consultation exercise to give the document democratic credibility.

It was felt that open spaces affected all three sub-groups:  outside the village boundaries (Rachel), within the village, but excluding gardens, and possibly developable (Bren), and building proximity and surrounding gardens (Brian).

The ‘Village Today’ section (Rachel) should subsume ‘amenities’ (Bren).

Graphics and policy numbers must be provided and tied to all the submissions, particularly to the guidance statements.  However the overall style of the document must be left to the graphics designer.

The buildings sub-group’s narrative work was complete apart from references to the Local Plan.  They would be assigned a target of 10 – 14 pages to fill, depending on the size of the brochure (32 pages including or excluding the cover)

For the avoidance of doubt, the quotations for printing and producing the VDS were based on 32 pages A4 plus cover.

The next meeting was left open until  RHM has spoken with NHDC to understand the form in which they expect to see the VDS.  In the mean time the various groups will meet on an ad hoc basis to resolve their own issues.

Afternote: Since the meeting, RHM has spoken with NHDC and the form they require for the first draft is text only, although they are interested in seeing some sample photos and sketches. Finished artwork isn’t necessary at this stage, but some examples would be of interest .