The greatest selling point of this area is undoubtedly its green belts.

As pointed out in the Airedale Masterplan it is vital that the natural environment of Airedale is protected and even developed to preserve the identity of the towns and villages -- acting as a barrier to further urban sprawl.

The independent report out this week by a government's planning inspector into Bradford Council's Unitary Development Plan adds a great deal of credibility to that strategy.

During the public inquiry it became clear that the majority view was in favour of halting developments on green field sites. The inspectors have listened to the views of the 7,000 plus objectors and their report gives protection to large swathes of land, in many cases against the wishes of Bradford Council

The inspectors have also decided that more brown field sites and urbanised areas of Bradford should be allocated for more development.

All in all Keighley and Silsden areas have come out of the inquiry looking good. However, one major issue which must be urgently tackled is the recommendation that sites in Beechliffe and Royd Ings can be included in the UDP for potential development, even though they lie in a flood plain. The inspectors say a number of sites are a prime location for certain types of employment.

There's insufficient information available to make a considered judgement on the wisdom of that recommendation at this stage. Resolving this flood plain issue already bears all the hallmarks of a protracted debate. But it should be approached with a can-do attitude as opposed to the no-can-do attitude already bubbling to the surface from some quarters.

The inquiry report is now in the hands of Bradford Council, which will publish a new plan in response to the recommendations. Underlying concerns are already being expressed that the original target date of March 2005 for ratifying the plan will slip back, with obvious knock-on effects.

That must not happen. This area is ready and raring to go to play its part in developing a strong identity for Airedale and creating a powerful and robust district economy set in green and pleasant surroundings.