WETHERBY Civic Society welcomes the initiative of our MP, Colin Burgon calling for Wetherby Town Council to draft a design statement for the town.

We already have a designated conservation area within the town but this does not extend much beyond the historic town centre. The conservation area is due for review this winter and the opportunity could be taken then to look at arguments for extending it into areas which may be vulnerable to inappropriate developments. However, this will not address proposals arising in areas outside even an extended conservation area.

A design statement, if accepted by the planning authority, would be much more wide ranging in scope, and would give guidance to developers as to what would be acceptable. But to be effective it will also have to address matters such as commercial uses and building densities. It should also give guidance on issues such as “garden grabbing” and the demolition of existing properties and their replacement by out of character, over large, poorly detailed buildings.

The Civic Society has from time to time considered whether or not it could initiate action as proposed by Mr Burgon but it has never been able to command the financial resources needed to make the outcome of such an operation credible. The Society very much hopes that Mr Burgon’s plea will be heard and taken forward.