Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has recommended that plans to protect the unique character of villages north of Andover should be approved. The cabinet recommended that the village design statement (VDS) for Hurstbourne Tarrant, Ibthorpe and Upton be approved. Subject to a vote by full council, this will ensure that proposed developments in the villages must comply with the concepts set out in the document. Paying tribute to the work of people in the villages, Councillor Phil North said the VDS would ensure the area remains “stunningly beautiful”. Village Design Statements are supplementary planning documents which can be put together by local people to have their say on planning proposals in the area. They identify certain features of the village which make it unique, and set policies on how to preserve them.