The official conservation area in Ilkley may soon see a major expansion in a bid to preserve the character and heritage of the town.

This is primarily a bid to safeguard Ilkley from rapacious housing developers but there are also other implications for people whose homes and businesses will fall within the extended catchment area.

Residents are being urged to attend a public meeting and workshop about the proposed extension taking place at the Kings Hall on November 19.

The feedback from the meeting, which takes place between 7pm and 8.30pm, will be used to develop conservation plans.

Ilkley Conservative councillor Anne Hawkesworth, who is Bradford's environmental chief, said: "The district has many wonderful areas of special character and historic importance which contributes to the strong cultural identity of Bradford.

"As part of the consultation programme, the council is organising workshops and public meetings to encourage local people to give their views on the future of their area and any improvements they would like to see."

"I would urge residents to come along to these local events or alternatively send their comments to the Conservation Team, 8th Floor, Jacob's Well, Bradford."

Within the conservation area, Bradford Council can act to bring about positive improvements. According to a council report: "On specific streets and properties, this would control extensions, changes to roof materials, removal of chimneys, replacement to doors and windows and alterations to decorative timber work."

This week, the Gazette went out and about on the streets of Ilkley to see what residents thought about the proposed conservation area extension.

Business owner Martin Caffrey, 53, of Leeds Road, Ilkley, warned that if he were asked to tone down the paint colour, or remove the signs for his fish and chip shop, the 'Harbour Lights', he could be ruined by failing to attract customers, particularly in summer.

Mr Caffrey said he wanted to know if the council was planning to pay for any conservation order changes, having spent three years upgrading his shop.

The need for town planners to differentiate between commercial and residential properties was seen as important by Bart'at Bistro assistant manager Alistair Perks, 21, of Cunliffe Road, .

In Mr Perks' opinion Ilkley was a traditional town, and if the centre underwent major alterations, tourism could suffer. He said that home owners should have as big a say in how their properties looked as anyone else.

Sally MacAlister of Skipton Road, Ilkley, said she felt that the town centre would be improved by a uniform approach to the shop fronts.

She said she saw the benefits of controlled development, including a better looking town, more tourists, and protection from potential future eyesores.

Mrs MacAlister said planning restrictions were necessary and positive in slowing the endless building of new apartments blocks, and protecting green spaces in Ilkley.

Physiotherapy student Hayley Rackham, 21, of Ben Rhydding Road, said that Ilkley's charm lay in conserving its traditional style. She grew up in the town and had loved coming back to it.

Retired teacher Kay Hunter, 84, of Victory Road, Ilkley, can remember Ilkley since 1930. She said she loved the character of the town, and preferred the older buildings. She said she was grateful that the Council was trying to conserve them

The council's decision to extend the conservation area may therefore have consequences for people who live in it which people have not yet realised. But from our survey it is easy to realise that there is a lot more to it than just repelling property developers.