WITH hundreds of new houses either going up or planned in Pool-in-Wharfedale in the last 20 years, the village has changed almost beyond recognition - and now residents are beginning to look at what the future holds.

With almost 240 new houses built since the end of the 1980s, the influx has been huge, but the number of shops and amenities have declined.

Just last week, Leeds City Council gave the go-ahead for 18 new homes on green belt land off Old Pool Bank, while resisting a separate plan for six houses and two flats on the site of Monkmans Restaurant in Main Street.

Now work on traffic calming measures has begun, as well as strengthening work to the Grade Two Listed Pool Bridge, and villagers are worried about the effects all the work will have upon their community.

On top of that, Pool is facing what has been described as a traffic nightmare by campaigner Mary O'Donnell, and safety is being jeopardised according to Pool lollipop man William Shears.

Parking in Churchill Flats where Mrs O'Donnell lives is limited, and a number of the residents are disabled meaning access is restricted at the best of times.

She has led a campaign for disabled parking bays in the area, but has said that they are only the beginning of alleviating the problem.

And lollipop man Mr Shears is campaigning for the zebra crossing he works on to be updated to a pelican crossing.

He said: "Pool won't be a village anymore before long, there will be so many developments.

"Traffic will definitely increase when the developments are finished, and it is already increasing everyday.

"One day Pool will have to be bypassed completely."

Chairman of the community group Pool 2020, Bernard Mitchinson, said: "Everybody has different opinions about Pool, but I think the main concern about the new developments is the traffic it will bring to the village.

"Pool has lost a lot of shops despite the population increase, but unfortunately it can't be blamed on the developments, I think that supermarkets are to blame.

"A lot of the older folks in the village will miss the doctor's surgery, and the other places such as the bakers and butchers that were once here. "

Sue Duncan, who runs the Post Office on Main Road, said: "It is sad when businesses shut, but it is a sign of the times.

"We are doing well and we have some very loyal customers and I hope newcomers to the village would use us.

"I don't think people realise that every one of the Post Office transactions keeps us going, so we need people to come in, but we have a lot more to offer too, with fresh fruit and veg, sandwiches, cakes and jams."

Campaigning resident Ken Shaw is unhappy with the number of developments, but very pleased with the improving Post Office.

He said: "The developments bring the addition of needing new facilities like better roads and public transport.

"The shops in Pool are missed, but if there were more shops, there would need to be more parking and that would create added trouble.

"The Post Office has improved amenities and I often nip down if my wife sends me to get something, it sells all sorts and that's what we need in the village."

The developments have undoubtedly brought more people into the village, and along with it more youngsters who need to go to a new school.

Pool C of E School isn't worried about the influx of youngsters.

Linda Hodson, Headteacher at the Arthington Lane school, said: "The number of houses built to date has not had a significant effect on the school population.

"The total number of pupils on roll has remained at approximately 160 for the past few years.

"Although new families have moved into the area, this has been offset by other families moving out.

"The school currently has spaces in all year groups so would not have a problem accommodating additional pupils."

Councillor Clive Fox, (Con, Otley and Wharfedale), has seen good and bad points come from the new developments over the last few years.

He said: "I think it has changed the character from a small residential village to a large residential village, but Pool has always adapted itself well, and it has again.

"Those who have chosen to move to Pool have been made to feel welcome and the local school has been supported.

"At the same time the local shopping facilities have dropped, but that is part of a national trend.

"There is a tendency for people to be less community minded in Pool now, which is a shame."

Redrow Homes (Yorkshire) launched its Chevin Way development off Swallow Drive in October 2000 and, to date, has sold over 70 of 110 planned properties on the first phase.

Julie Rayner, sales manager, said: "We have met a demand for quality-built new homes in Pool, an area where there has been very little new-build in recent years.

"Our development has offered a wide choice of new homes, including detached family homes and a range of two and three-storey mews and town house designs.

"Pool offers an attractive village environment, close to open countryside yet within easy commuting distance of Leeds and Harrogate, which adds to its appeal.

"As well as building new homes we have also invested in the area in other ways, including financial support for a new Early Years Playground and support for other organisations in the village."

She also said the inclusion of 20 social properties within the development will help local people to get onto the property ladder for the first time.

l How do you think the character of Pool has changed over the years? What does the future hold for the village? Write with your views to Letters Page, Wharfedale Observer, Orchard Gate, Otley, LS21 3NX