Conserving in the Wetherby area?

St Oswald's in Collingham has ancient origins, pic: Leodis

Residents in, and around, Wetherby are being asked for their views on a conservation area in three locations.

Collingham currently has no area to safeguard the architectural and historic character of the village.

Wetherby's conservation area was first designated in 1971 and Linton's in 1981 and a review of the boundaries is now due.

Public meetings and consultation will be held until December 2009.

It is proposed that a new conservation area in Collingham would include the village's historic core of Main Street, along with many properties on School Lane and Church Lane, with extensions along Leeds and Harewood Roads.

Wetherby's town centre conservation area has helped to preserve its character and protect its important buildings from unauthorised demolition. There is now a proposal for an extension of the area covered.

The Linton conservation area is proposed to be extended to include areas of special architectural interest including extensions along Northgate Lane, Linton Road and Linton Common.

The draft appraisals

Public drop-in meetings will also be held, the first at Wetherby Town Hall on Wednesday 18 November (between 15:00 and 19:00).

A Leeds City Council conservation officer will be on hand on Saturday 21 November (10:00 to 15:00) at Collingham Methodist Meeting Room, Harewood Road, Collingham, and on Saturday 28 November (09.30 to 15:00) at Linton Memorial Hall to answer any questions on the review.

Buildings within a conservation area are protected from unauthorised demolition, and new developments have to meet higher standards of design than elsewhere. Other planning rules are slightly different and permission from the council is needed for certain activities such as tree felling.

Councillor Andrew Carter says:

"I strongly urge local residents to participate in the consultation. It is a real opportunity for them to help us protect their local environment."

The public consultation will run until Friday 18 December 2009.

The proposals should be approved by council officials in January 2010.

People can also request a copy of the draft appraisal from the conservation team at: Sustainable Development Unit, Leeds City Council, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD