'Settlement' bid in housing battle

The Parish Council and Ilkley Civic Society will work together to produce a village design statement for the area which they regard as a unique settlement within Ilkley.

They believe its combination of environmental, recreational, and historical features present a unique landscape which must be preserved at all costs.

Recent planning applications have prompted fears that the character of Middleton is in danger of being lost with a trend towards applications to turn detached homes into apartments.

Parish Council planning chairman Councillor Audrey Brand said that advice had already been taken from the organisation which produced the Burley-in-Wharfedale village design statement.

"We are thinking of Middleton as a settlement in its own right with a special environmental and historical context," said Coun Brand. She cited the recreational facilities, including sports fields and the two swimming pools, the historic Wharfe footbridge, the Grade 1-listed Myddleton Lodge and even the post box in Denton Road, which is believed to be Britain's smallest listed building.

Coun Brand said the area's landscape, which includes Middleton Woods, desperately needed protection from what she described as 'insidious' development.

"Land that is lost can never be regained and we have got to hold on to this," said Coun Brand.

Village design statements are seen by many residents as a form of protection against land speculators. Although they cannot be used to prevent development taking place, planners and housing companies must take their guidance into account when making decisions.

As well as asking for help from Ilkley Civic Society, Coun Brand is inviting residents or anyone else with an interest in the future of Middleton to share in the project and submit their own ideas by writing to Parish Clerk, Miggy Bailey, at Ilkley Town Hall.

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