A new plan to switch Baildon’s identity from being a village to a town was endorsed by councillors last night.

Speaking at the Baildon annual parish meeting in the Ian Clough Hall, Coun Lesley Brook said it would be a case of reclaiming lost character by reverting to being a town complete with a mayor.

She said: “Baildon always used to be a town right up until the 1970s.

“There was a beautiful town hall, but then firstly we were swallowed up by Shipley and then by Bradford and became a parish.”

Coun Kathy Andrews said that move had been a blow to Baildon.

She said: “Being eaten up by Bradford was the worst thing. We lost a lot of our identity.

“One thing is that people do get confused with parish council and church parishes.

“Baildon has a lot of unique attributes, such as the moor itself, to name just one "It would be much better to be a town again.”

Stewart Main, secretary of the Baildon Local History Society said he thought the return to town status would be an advantage. “It was a town up until 1974 and I think it would be a good idea,” Mr Main said.

During questions from the floor, Dr Steve Walker of environmental pressure group Baildon Against Inappropriate Development (BRAID) asked new parish chair Chris Flecknoe: “I understand Baildon becoming a town would be entirely for the council to decide.

“It would not be for us as all to choose as individuals who live here. Why should we bother to do it?” Coun Flecknoe said it was something under consideration, adding: “Obviously there are a lot of differing views – people do like living in a village, or would we like to be a town and get our regalia back?

Resident Elaine de Villiers said because Baildon was so widespread, it might be a unifying new title.

She said: “Baildon is not just the bit in the centre – perhaps being a town would seem more encompassing."

It was also suggested the subject could be discussed on the council's new website which is nearing completion.

Coun Flecknoe said all views would be welcome at the next parish council meeting in June.

Bradford district Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) has previously inquired about the possibility of a town manager and said she was interested in the idea of town status if it would yield real results.

“If it can bring economic benefit, then that’s obviously a good thing – but not if it’s just an ego trip,” said Coun Davies said recently.