A SCHEME to tidy up a riverbank stretch of land often used in the past as a campsite by travellers has been backed by Ilkley Parish planners.

The parish council's plans committee has this week recommended the approval of Ilkley and District Angling Association's landscaping works on Denton Road.

The club wants to create a protective 'bund' or embankment barrier on a grassed riverbank area close to stepping stones on the River Wharfe. The area has often been used as a camping area by travellers, inciting complaints from local people.

Parish councillors believe the landscaping will prevent large numbers of visitors or cars damaging the grass verge, but will still enable visitors to pull up at the roadside verge for a picnic.

The proposed landscaped area will be 260 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 1.5 metres high.

"It's been very muddy on that stretch. The grass has all been churned up," said parish council plans committee chairman, Councillor Audrey Brand.

She says the landscaping, unlike a wall which was suggested by some people, would preserve the green appearance of the riverbank to residents living south of the river, and would prevent damage to the grassy verge. Councillor Brand said topsoil taken up during the landscaping work would not be removed from the site altogether, but is expected to be re-used in the work.

"Somebody did suggest a wall would be better, but this is green, it's environmentally friendly, so it won't stand out," she said. "It will help to retain the nice grassed area. It'll make it much more attractive for residents at the other side of the river."

The landscaping is expected to include drainage panels in it so surface water will drain away into the river.

Travellers have often chosen the roadside verges on Denton Road as a site for their caravans in the past, prompting complaints from Ilkley residents about rubbish being left at the riverbank or being dumped in the river.

Ilkley parish councillors have called for some form of restrictions on parking on the riverside in recent years. The plans committee decided on Monday to recommend the approval of the anglers' plans. The plan is now expected to be determined by Bradford Council.