ATTEMPTS to preserve the

character of Menston are well under way with the final stages of a village design statement and the formation of a new group.

Menston Village Design Statement Group has now submitted a draft version of their document to Bradford Council planning officers, who will consider residents' suggestions.

And a group has formed in the village to push for the creation of a conservation area to protect an older part of the village.

To create the VDS, members of the steering group put out a detailed questionnaire to residents, asking their views on how they would like to see the village develop in future, and what they would like to protect.

Their views were collated, and the group drew up a VDS document and map, for the council to use as guidance when making decisions on future planning issues.

The document was put on display in Menston Library for residents to look add, and suggest any changes.

Copies of the VDS will be printed shortly, and distributed to every household in the village.

But one of the suggestions of the VDS was to create a conservation area, which would have increased protection from new development.

Chairman of the VDS steering group, Peter Ward, has been temporarily chairing a new group which is set to push for the creation of a conservation area.

The area would cover the moorland side of the village, from the area close to the post office on Main Street, to Moor Lane and Derry Hill.

Mr Ward said members have already handed out leaflets to some of the residents in the proposed conservation area. The group is to meet early in 2001 to discuss the way forward.