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Purpose
The Village Design Statement should be
read alongside the report on the results of
the Preston on Stour Parish Plan Survey, the
resulting Action Plan and the rest of the Parish
Plan. There is also a list of references and links
for associated information at the back of the
Parish Plan. The village website gives further
details.
The aim of this Village Design Statement is
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and businesses in the recent Parish Plan Survey.
The majority strongly supported shaping any
future development in such a way as to ensure
the village’s unique and highly-valued character
is preserved.
For a village and its surroundings to
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needs of the people who live and work there.
However, this should never be at the cost of
diminishing the special aspects of the area,
not only for those enjoying and appreciating
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generations, too.
If approved by the Parish Council and
adopted by Stratford District Council this
Statement will be taken into consideration
when dealing with planning applications. It
also aims to be a guide for anyone who plans to
build, adapt or extend buildings in the parish.
Guiding Principles
These are based on the analysis of the Preston
on Stour Parish Plan Survey and the subsequent
public meeting:
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should be preserved.
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especially views into, out of and within the
village.
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built areas should be maintained.
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conversions and alterations should be in
sympathy with local building styles and
materials.
Special Character
The peaceful setting of Preston on Stour and
its surroundings is much enhanced by the
many attractive and varied historic buildings,
balanced by well-maintained greens, views and
ancient trees.
The majority of the buildings are listed and
many are of both architectural and historic
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houses, a good brick-built Queen Anne house,
a few characterful half-timbered cottages, a
blacksmith’s forge, a couple of smart Victorian
farmhouses, two cottages of cob (mud and
straw) construction and an old chapel, to list
just some of the varied buildings to be seen.
Half of the old school-room now serves as a
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rented as a yoga studio, but the exterior and the
old teachers’ houses attached remain unaltered.
Approaching the village either from
Atherstone on Stour or along Preston Lane, the
splendid and historic church is a prominent
part of the view, being one of the most elevated
buildings. Of course, it is also the tallest. There
are only three recently-built houses, which
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buidings are small Victorian brick cottages,
some with rendered exteriors; small in size,
nevertheless containing many original features.
These and many other examples of the special
character and valued features of Preston on
Stour are extensively illustrated throughout this
document.
Future Development
The issue of future development in the parish,
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be crucial, as was highlighted in the pre-survey
consultation workshop, so an entire section of
the survey was dedicated to questions relating
to new housing, refurbishment of derelict
buildings, extensions and conversions. As can
be seen in the results from the Parish Survey
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Given the complex issues involved in
planning and the mix of views expressed, it
Village Design Statement