Otley is bidding to pioneer planning blueprints for market towns with its own Design Statement.

Many places - including Burley-in-Wharfedale, Pool, Bramhope and Baildon - already have or are drawing up Village Design Statements (VDS) to help shape future development in their communities and preserve their characters. The Countryside Agency believes the statements could work on a larger scale and is looking for market towns to take part in a pilot study.

Otley Town Council has agreed to draw up a Design Statement and has submitted a bid for it to act as a "guinea pig'' for the agency. Otley's VDS will aim to protect and enhance the town for years to come by making would-be developers and planners aware of local people's views.

Councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale) said it was hoped the VDS would be adopted by Leeds City Council and taken into account when developments and subsequent planning applications were being considered.

It was hoped the document would mean an end to unexpected and unwanted development in Otley, he said.

"Having a VDS will give residents an opportunity to shape their town's future,'' he added.

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