Introduction | Evolution | History | Character | Design Recommendations & Comunity Issues | The Way Forward

Evolution of the VDS

The Henley-in-Arden & Beaudesert Civic Society, supported by the Joint Parish Council, initiated the project to prepare a design statement for the town. It was launched at a meeting on April 11th 2000. Representatives from organisations in the town, and the participants in the town appraisal, were invited. From this meeting a steering committee was formed.

The guidelines of The Countryside Agency and Stratford-on-Avon District Council were followed. Every house in the town was circulated with an invitation to join in a photographic survey of the town on Midsummer's Day 2000.* There were 78 participants and a further five volunteers joined the steering committee. From the accompanying desk top exercises a list of townspeople's likes and dislikes were identified. These likes and dislikes represented the townspeople's views on what is valued, what should be preserved and what could be improved.

*The photographs are now available for view at the Heritage Centre

A second leaflet campaign to every house preceded a public meeting on October 4th attended by 69 residents. More likes and dislikes were added to the list. The meeting agreed unanimously that the final list represent the views of the community and should be used in the VDS as a basis for the design recommendations.

Desk top Exercise at Photo Fun-Day