THE creation of a Conservation Area for Middleton, which looks increasingly likely, can be hailed as a victorious battle in the on-going war to prevent Ilkley losing its unique character. Ilkley is described quite rightly as the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the Bradford District but arguably, it would be hard to find many more attractive places in which to live in the whole of the country.

However, even if Conservation Area status is granted to Middleton today, it does not mean house builders will disappear over the hill. When fortunes are up for grabs, ingenuity knows few bounds.

We have only two look at the issue surrounding Bodies Health Club and Spa. The building is right slap bang in the middle of central Ilkley's Conservation Area but members of the Keighley Area Planning Panel did not even think it was worth the bother of calling a meeting to discuss the issues before granting permission for developers to convert it into apartments.

If, as is widely hoped, Middleton is today granted Conservation Area status, the war is far from over. Developers will still argue that as there is no overall dominant architectural style or period in the area, any type of design will fit in beautifully anywhere. But at least there will be some constraints to help check the frenzy of housing development. It is just a shame that the planning authorities have moved the goal posts over the issue of Design Statements which were produced by the hard work of willing volunteers in many communities, including Ilkley.

They have now been told that their efforts have been wasted and the documents, which were supposed to help safeguard the essence of our community, are now regarded as worthless, leaving us with little more than Tree Preservation Orders with which to try to conserve all that is best about the town.