Four parish councils across the district will be able to help shape development in their areas from now on.

The parish councils of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley and Oxenhope have successfully applied for more planning powers under the Localism Act.

The applications by all four parish councils have been approved by Bradford Council’s executive.

Each has been designated as a Neighbourhood Area, which gives it the power to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan – a guide for development in their area.

The news was welcomed by Councillor John Huxley, chairman of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council.

He said: “We are delighted by that.

“It’s a big step forward for us and, while we are non-political, we feel this is one of the big advantages of the Localism Act.”