EXTENSIONS and changes to homes in Tranmere Park could soon be directed by residents.

In an effort to keep the unique nature of the pre-1940s development, residents and councillors are forging ahead with a Neighbourhood Design Statement.

And although the document will have no legal standing, it will give planners and developers a blueprint of what residents would find acceptable.

At a packed meeting of more than 120 residents at Guiseley School, councillors heard of fears that creeping development and inappropriate extensions would ruin the unique look of the area.

Guiseley and Rawdon councillors Graham Latty, John Bale and Stuart Andrew said many planned extension to homes or new homes were greeted with dismay from residents.

Coun Bale (Con, Guiseley and Rawdon) said after the meeting: "At the moment, we seem to be fire fighting, with residents asking councillors to object to applications as they arise. That is bound to be a difficult judgement for us, as we try to reflect the views of the whole community.

"Having a Neighbourhood Design Statement, which the whole community had produced, would make that task a little easier."

Coun Bale said planning authorities were under pressure from central government to agree to development and often had to look at gardens as suitable places for new homes.

"That approach would be wrong in an area like Tranmere where low densities and large gardens are characteristics of the environment and things in which residents have invested their money and their lives."

He added that Tranmere Park had a unique Arts and Crafts character reminiscent of 'new towns' such as Letchworth Garden city.

"Tranmere Park was planned and developed as an integrated whole with great attention to the quality of design and generous open spaces around dwellings. These are things that residents value and want to see preserved as much as possible," said Coun Bale.

He added that they needed to balance expected development - driven by government policy - with a very real concern to keep the area's unique quality.

"There are bound to be some changes, we are not trying to preserve the area in aspic. Some people will want to extend their homes and some well designed extensions will be fine, especially where they are at the back of houses, rather than filling in the gaps between them," he said.

People at the meeting unanimously agreed to compile a design statement to be put together initially by councillors and residents and then solely by the residents themselves.

Coun Bale said a date had yet to be set for the first meeting of a working party but added he envisaged it would be well supported by residents.

And he added the Tranmere Design Statement could be the first in a series of planning guidance across Guiseley and Rawdon.

"The general idea of Neighbourhood Design Statements is something we would like to develop across the Gusieley and Rawdon ward. Tranmere will be the trail-blazer," he said.