Controversial plans to change South Craven parish boundaries have sparked anger.

Proposals to merge the Cowling electoral ward with Cononley and Lothersdale were rejected at a Craven council meeting on Tuesday.

The merger idea - to form a single two-member ward - was blasted by Aire Valley councillor Joan Ibbotson, who lives in Cononley and spoke for the village. Her ward includes Bradleys Both, Farnhill and Kildwick, as well as Cononley.

She told the meeting: "We feel that to be taken out of the Aire Valley ward is wrong because the River Aire runs through the village, the Aire Valley trunk road runs near us and the railway goes right through the village.

"That's how the people identify themselves and we also have very close links with Bradleys Both, Kildwick and Farnhill. By going with Cowling, we will lose that identity and we have nothing in common with that parish.

"Cononley is part of the Aire Valley ward and should be kept as such."

Councillors agreed that Cowling should remain a separate ward. Bradleys Both, Farnhill, Kildwick, Cononley and Lothersdale are to form one two-member ward.

The new Clayton Hall estate near Landis Lund - comprising Beckfield Close, Westfield Close and Clayton Hall Road - is to remain part of Glusburn parish.

It will however be linked with Sutton to form viable district wards for Sutton and Glusburn, each of which will have two councillors.

Craven council's recommendations now go to the Local Government Commission, which is reviewing the electoral arrangements for all district councils in North York-shire.

Two public meetings were held by the council this week to inform people of its proposals.

Anyone wanting to comment on the recommendations should write to the Local Government Commission for England, 10/11 Great Turnstile, London, WC1V 7JU.

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