Leigh on Mendip

Village Design Statement

The aim of the Village Design Statement is to define the local character of the village and, in so doing, provide guidelines, not only for building developers, but also for home improvements. These guidelines enable the village’s character to be maintained for the benefit of us all. Adopted by Mendip Council as supplementary planning guidance in December 1998, the Design Statement’s recommendations will also be taken into account when local planning applications are assessed.

To see a full copy of the Village Design Statement click here  (3.4MB, PDF). 

Summary of Guidelines

1. Existing hedgerows and trees should be retained.

2. New development should include indigenous mature planting and landscaping.

3. Developments should not diminish the important focus provided by the farms which are central to the village.

4. It is essential that the linear pattern of the village is maintained. Development must not detract from existing rural views and the architectural integrity of Leigh Street.

5. Established footpaths must be maintained and protected.

6. The current voluntary ban on quarry traffic from the village makes a valuable contribution to the quality of life in Leigh and should be maintained and encouraged.

7. Off street parking for future developments is to be encouraged, although built-in garages are not a local feature.

8. Developers and utility companies should conceal future installations underground. Domestic meter boxes should also be hidden.

9. The traditional postboxes and early red telephone box are attractive features and should be retained.

10. Signposts and street names should be in keeping with existing street furniture. Road safety signs should be of modest and unobtrusive design.

11. Future development should not detract from the magnificence of the church nor obstruct views of it.

12. Local natural stone should be used for boundary walls.

13. Existing building lines should not be altered without consideration of the resulting visual effect.

14. A typical building style of new developments should be of rural design, two storey, rubble stone faced, and have a steeply pitched roof of double roman or plain terracotta tiles. Artificial or reconstituted stone should not be used.

15. The size, style and materials used for doors and windows should match those of the original bui1ding and/or adjacent buildings, thus retaining the 1ocal characteristics of the particular site.

16. New buildings at least shou1d be pointed with cream-coloured and lime-rich mortars. Residents are encouraged to consider 1ime when repointing and rebuilding older buildings.

17. Developers and residents are encouraged to consider the “local palette” of colours when painting woodwork, walls and render and to consider paint in favour of exterior woodstains. (Please refer to a published copy of the Village Design Statement for the colours of the “local palette”.)