Attention to the design and character of the village is important to preserve the environment.
Development driven purely by the profit motive leads to big, tall houses crowded onto small plots and harms the quality of life for all in the village. Little attention is paid by these developers to the design standards listed here.
By contrast, sympathetic development, like the Howard Homes Housing association in Pirton provided what we need.
Their description of the development sums it up:
"In March 2015 we completed a scheme of 11 houses and bungalows in the desirable village of Pirton, Hertfordshire. Also delivered to meet an identified need, this scheme provides an opportunity for local people to continue to reside within the community in which they grew up."