BRAMHOPE has led the way in the Leeds area in having a landmark document for the protection of the village accepted as official policy by councillors.

Leeds City Council's planning department has agreed to accept Bramhope Village Design Statement as official Supplementary Planning Guidance - making it the first VDS in the area to achieve this status.

The 'statement' - a document detailing how the village's character must be preserved in future, and what further development is acceptable to residents - was drawn up by volunteers working as Bramhope Village Design Statement Group.

As Supplementary Planning Guidance, the document must be consulted by planning officers and city councillors in making recommendations and determining each new planning application in the parish.

Group chairman, Dr Philip Sunderland, described the acceptance of the VDS as planning guidance as a major achievement for the village.

He said: "The document will have an important part to play in the planning process, as it affects the village for many years to come. My grateful thanks go to all those who have played some part in making this magnificent achievement possible."

Bramhope VDS states that there should be no further development in the Green Belt around the village, no flats built in the village, and sets criteria for building designs and housing density.

It accepts that there may be some infill development, but opposed Bramhope growing significantly.

Ward councillor Clive Fox (Cons, Otley and Wharfedale), who sits on the Development Control (West) Panel said the VDS could have a significant impact on current planning applications, and could also help represent villagers' views in the event of a planning appeal.

However, he warned that planning officers and councillors must also take into account Government Planning Policy Guidance statements (PPGs) and the local authority's Unitary Development Plan, when determining planning applications.

To create the VDS, the group studied planning issues in the Bramhope and Carlton parish, and put out a detailed questionnaire to every household in the parish, to consult with residents.

A special questionnaire was also distributed to under-18s in the parish, to gather the views from the younger generation of residents.

To be accepted as Supplementary Planning Guidance, all Village Design Statements must demonstrate that they represent the views of the majority of the community.

Work on the VDA started in 1998, and the draft document was drawn up in 1999.

A public exhibition including maps, photographs and a video, was held in Bramhope to give residents another chance to comment.

Copies of the VDS are being offered to all residents of Bramhope for £3 each.

Other villages in the Leeds local authority area, including Pool-in-Wharfedale, have also completed Village Design Statements, and are awaiting their acceptance as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

The council said that Bramhope VDS has now been accepted as council policy, and will be taken into account when planning applications are determined.

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "It will be an important factor in deciding on applications, but will still be on of a number of material considerations, which continue to be taken into account, including representations from the public in the normal way."