A VILLAGE design statement for Monxton should help give local planners a clearer picture of what people living in the village will find acceptable in the way of new development.

Householders have been widely consulted in the preparation of the plan and almost 90 per cent of questionnaires sent out on the subject were returned by people living in the village - widely regarded as one of Hampshire's most picturesque.

During the lengthy preparation of the plan villagers were advised by senior Test Valley planning officer David Bibby. Project co-ordinator, Joan Leslie, said: "It was an amazingly successful village project from the point of view of people getting involved and I think interest is growing all the time.

"It has been a long process as we had our first open meeting in February 2003."

The design statement exemplifies the features that make this village distinctive.

The history of the village has had a major bearing on its current character as the parish was in the ownership of King's College, Cam-bridge from 1441 until 1921.

Since 1945 there has been some development but even today a third of the 118 houses in the parish are listed grade II with several dating from Tudor and Stuart times.

Any new homes need to maintain the distinctive appeal of Monxton, ancient and modern, in its rural location.

The VDS says that new developments should not dominate their locality and their materials and design should blend in. Smaller houses are preferred.

Thatched roofs should be hipped with raised eves to complement existing dwellings while the use of flints in walls should also be considered.

Every house is the village will receive a copy of the statement, which is being produced locally, by Bulpit Print Ltd.

Members of Test Valley Borough Council's executive decided to adopt the statement as 'supplementary planning guidance' and grant the project £1,000 towards the production costs.

Brewery House, which features in the statement, was formerly called the Bush Inn.

Built around 1590 it was partially destroyed by fire in 1703 and during restoration work in 2000 remains of severely charred beams were found in part of the house.

The 'eyebrow dormers' of this thatched house are a traditional feature of the village.

Even some of the walls have a thatched roof in Monxton. The village main street typifies the character of the village.