THE gauntlet looks likely to be thrown down to profit-hungry housing developers today as planners meet to debate the extension of Ilkley's Conservation Area.

The historic character of the town could be further safeguarded by extending the area to almost double is present size, making it one of the largest in the whole of the Bradford district.

The new boundaries, which would extend south of the River Wharfe as far as Hebers Ghyll - represent the biggest overhaul in Ilkley in three decades. They go before the Keighley area planning panel and are widely expected to be approved.

Ilkley planning officer Martyn Burke explained that if the extension was approved, developers would have to convince planners that their proposals within its boundaries would enhance the area rather than detract from it.

"It does not give that many more powers but it does mean we will be looking much more at quality and the effect on the character of the area," said Mr Burke.

He said that both officers and members of the planning panel would now better be able to prevent unwanted development than had been the case in the past.

"It sets a duty on the council to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the town," said Mr Burke. He also said that outside the Conservation Area, officers and panel members had no powers to prevent demolition on the grounds that the buildings due to be knocked down made a positive contribution to the area - that would change if the boundary was extended. "It does not rule out changes but changes have to be positive and benefit the area with high-quality design," Mr Burke said.

The extended Conservation Area will also link up with the recently published Ilkley Design Statement to put constraints on unwanted development.

Parish councillor Kate Brown was a member of the group which drew up the Design Statement and the suggested extended border of the extended Conservation Area.

Although she said Bradford planners had not included all of the group's recommendations, she hoped the final proposals would get the go-ahead.

"They haven't included all of our recommendations but quite a large proportion of them. We are very pleased they have taken this on board," said Coun Brown.

As well as the Ilkley Conservation Area, the planning panel will also consider giving the go-ahead for officers to start looking additional