THE final hurdle has at last been overcome in the battle to give Middleton protected Conservation Area status.

Bradford Council's Keighley Area Committee has declared Middleton a Conservation Area - and would-be developers and residents are being warned that protective planning restrictions are now in force. The status gained the backing of Keighley Area Planning Panel in March, but needed a final rubber stamping of the scheme by the Area Committee.

The chairman of Keighley Area Planning Panel, Councillor Chris Greaves, has warned that anyone wanting to make changes to the area must now check the rules with planning officers. He is keen to make sure Middleton residents,as well as potential developers, know that the Conservation Area rules now apply. "What concerns me really is that people in Middleton really should know it's gone through," said Councillor Greaves. "It's very much a case of if in doubt, ask, and please do ask."

Middleton joins Ben Rhydding and the central area of Ilkley as areas with special protection not only from planning applications from outside developers, but from certain types of alterations wanted by residents and against the loss of trees. All trees within the defined Conservation Area are now protected, planning officers will put the emphasis on protecting Middleton's overall character - the open space between houses. - and the presumption will be against the demolition of existing properties.

The new Conservation Area stretches from north of the River Wharfe to Curly Hill, and from Nesfield Road in the West to an area beyond Ilkley Lido on Denton Road.

Although there has been a lengthy campaign to get Middleton the protected status, establishing what characteristics should be protected has not been as straightforward as in other areas. While some Conservation Areas can focus on developments being in keeping period features, architecture and a traditional village layout, planners were faced with a large variety of building styles and materials in Middleton.

The defining characteristic of Middleton, planners ruled, was its trees and the space between the buildings.

Chairman of Ilkley Parish Council's plans committee, Councillor Kate Brown, said: "We welcome that Middleton has been designated a conservation area. We hope it will help to retain its unique character."