Ilkley'S historic character could be further safeguarded by plans to more than double the town's conservation area.

This proposal has been put forward by Bradford City Council, as part of an assessment of the 56 conservation areas in the 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.

Stephen Bateman, conservation officer at the council, said: "It is a major increase in the conservation area. The designation is now nearly 30 years old and what is seen as being of value has changed."

If implemented, the impact of the new scheme would be twofold. It would safeguard the heritage of Ilkley's commercial quarter by introducing a shop-front policy.

Mr Bateman said: "In the commercial part of Ilkley we actually think that there's a great opportunity to do what we will call a shop front improvement scheme.

"We will go and talk to traders and make sure the proportions of the signs work, that there is nothing garish and if they do not have a particularly good front we will talk it through."

Mr Bateman said nobody would be forced to change existing fronts or that modern development would be discouraged but that it would have to be of a high quality and respect the general character. He said: "We are trying to create a sense of place and identity. We have identified the value of having a good quality retail frontage. It is up to the businesses themselves to agree with us that this is going to attract customers.

"We will be saying to people who own property that they should not destroy the things that make Ilkley special."

A large number of residential properties would also be encompassed by the new boundaries - in a bid to protect their historic features and value.

Speaking at a meeting of Ilkley Parish Council, on Monday, Mr Bateman said: "The other area is properties, where there are original details, such as red rosemary roofs. Sadly these can disappear because there are always people who want to take them away.

"We have identified an area in Ilkley where they exist in sufficient numbers, so we feel they should have a better protection."

Mr Bateman said conservation areas could carry some legislative restrictions on development but need not represent a definitive prohibition.

He said: "It takes away the permitted development of the town so people can't just strip out original windows without permission.

"This does not mean that the council would not grant permission but if an article 4.2 is put in place the council are going to want original windows or if not original, appropriate and satisfactory to that property."

Mr Bateman said public consultation would be paramount in deciding if the boundaries were to be put in place. He said: "Ilkley Civic Society and Town Design Statement team have put in their own suggestions. In the review process we have done we have looked at the heritage value of the buildings within the boundary and the history.

"Now it is open for people to discuss and debate with us."

Each of Ilkley's 3,500 households will be sent comprehensive information on the proposal and maps will be placed at Ilkley Town Hall. Mr Bateman said he also hoped as many people as possible would attend a public meeting.

He said: "There will be a short presentation. We hope the evening will be interactive. We will be asking people to identify what they think is important and what they think is special about this area."

Attendance to the meeting will be by reservation only in order that the team can assess the response from townsfolk and if necessary hold a further meeting.

The planned meeting will go ahead on Monday, November 19, at 7pm, in the Kings Hall.