Local people are being invited to have their say on plans to extend the conservation area in Downholme in Richmondshire so that it covers all, rather than only half, of the village.
If the extension goes ahead, it would be the first new conservation area designation in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for 15 years.
The local parish council, Hudswell and District, asked the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to help draw up the proposals.
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The public consultation document can be viewed online and there are copies available at the Bolton Arms and the YDNPA Bainbridge and Grassington offices.
“Downholme is a village with a unique heritage in a very special setting,” said the local Richmondshire District Councillor, Richard Blows. “This proposal is about recognising the rich history of the village, both its buildings and medieval field systems.
“The southern half of Downholme – the part that lies outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park – was designated as a Conservation Area in 1995. I welcome this consultation on extending the area to include the northern half of the village which lies inside the national park, and I would urge people to read the public consultation document which outlines in fascinating detail the special character of the village.”
YDNPA Building Conservation Officer, Peter Reynolds, attended a meeting of Hudswell and District Parish Council on Thursday 21 September.
He said: “The contents of the consultation document were generally very positively received by those who attended. We’re really keen now to hear views from the rest of the community – and from anyone with an interest in the village and the area. In particular, we’d like to hear from locals whether they have any suggestions on how to conserve and enhance the special character of their village.”
The public consultation period ends on 10 November 2017.
