Steps taken to protect historic areas

As a result the conservation area boundaries have been reviewed and extended to represent the special architectural and historic interest of the areas which have interesting histories and their surviving townscapes owe much to their early medieval origins and the success of the textile industries during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Yeadon has had a conservation area since 1973 and Guiseley had two separate conservation areas – Town Gate and Park Gate designated in 1985. This is the first time the boundaries have been revised and updated.

The former Guiseley Town Gate and Park Gate conservation areas have been combined and extended to create a single Guiseley conservation area, covering the Town Gate and Oxford Road areas and extending northwards to include parts of Kelcliffe, the historic mills along Netherfield Road, and along Otley Road to White Cross. It also takes in Park Gate to the south, and parts of Greenbottom to the east.

The revised Yeadon conservation area covers the town centre, extending north-east to take in the cemetery and Yeadon tarn. Westwards it includes the terraces along High Street and the Football and South View Terrace. Other landmarks include St Andrews Church to the north as well as the town’s surviving historic mills and development along Kirk Lane to New Scarborough and Nunroyd Park.

The new boundaries come into operation on January 16. Members of the public were asked for their views on the changes.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for city development, yesterday welcomed the move saying: “This is good news for Guiseley and Yeadon because it will help retain the unique character of these historic areas and protect them from unsuitable or harmful development.”