THE VILLAGE of Addingham is poised to become the latest community in Wharfedale to be granted Neighbourhood Area status, giving the community more say on local developments.

Bradford Council officers are recommending that the Council's Executive approves an application for Neighbourhood Area status at its meeting on Tuesday (June 23).

If granted, the status will enable the community to go on to create its own neighbourhood plan, which will be consulted by Bradford Council planners when applications for building developments are submitted for Addingham.

Under the draft Core Strategy of Bradford Council's Local Plan, the village is classed as being suitable for the building of 400 new homes - although the Core Strategy has yet to be ratified by a Government planning inspector.

Villagers hope Neighbourhood Area status, and a neighbourhood plan, will give the community more say in where houses are built, and what improvements in facilities and services the area needs in order to cope with the increased population.

The bid is being led by Addingham Parish Council, which submitted its application in January.

In its application, the Parish Council said: "The chief aim of the Addingham Parish Council is to create a Neighbourhood Development Plan, based on consultation with key local interest groups and residents to generate research and evidence which will ensure, through Planning Guidance, that the village and parish develop in such a manner as to protect the area’s heritage, provide for housing need and ensure it remains an attractive place to live and work.

"Addingham Parish Council does not oppose development in principle but recognises that there are competing pressures which such activity will bring to infrastructure in the area."

The Parish Council said the aims of any future Neighbourhood Development Plan it produces will be to preserve the character of Addingham, meet defined housing needs, maintain and improve shopping, recreational, cultural and community facilities, and meet defined employment need, among other concerns.

Part of the application includes a map of Addingham's parish boundaries, which the Parish Council is proposing as the boundaries of a Neighbourhood Area.

Bradford Council's Keighley Area Committee agreed in March it would support the proposal.

Bradford Council has already approved eight Neighbourhood Area applications in the district, including Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, Menston and Steeton-with-Eastburn and Silsden.

An application for Baildon is also recommended for approval on Tuesday

The Executive will meet at City Hall, Bradford, on Tuesday morning, starting at 10.30am.