APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD AREA

Introduction

Pool-in-Wharfedale is a village in the Wharfe Valley, first mentioned in the eleventh century, situated on the south side of an important crossing point of the River Wharfe. It boasts a handsome listed bridge dating from the eighteenth century, and is surrounded by farmland. The south side of the valley is dominated by a gritstone escarpment called Pool Bank which runs into Otley Chevin. On this escarpment lies the hamlet of Old Pool Bank, which is an integral part of the parish, as is Caley, to the west. The local market town is Otley, which lies three miles to the west, beyond the hamlet of Caley. Administratively, the parish is in the Adel and Wharfedale ward of the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, in the county of West Yorkshire. Leeds is approximately ten miles to the south.

Much of Pool village and its woodland is designated as a conservation area, with some listed buildings. The traditional industries were farming and corn milling, with paper milling and cloth fulling from the late 16th century onwards. Quarrying became an important industry here from the beginning of the 19th century. Outside the village, to the west, is the industrial site of Whiteleys Paper Mill, founded in 1886 and now owned by Weidmann. This also lies within the parish. Whiteleys were major local employers throughout most of the 20th century, and were responsible for building some fine workers' cottages and almshouses in the 1930s which are now within the conservation area. Part of the original Whiteleys Mill site now houses a local brewery, a cloth weaving company and an engineering company.

There has been a large amount of new building since the 1970s, most of it providing accommodation for people working outside the Wharfe Valley, in Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate. This has changed the balance of the population so that those involved in agriculture and local industries are now in a minority. Public transport links are poor, leading to high dependency on private cars, and traffic is a problem, owing to the strategic position of the river crossing. Despite this, Pool Parish remains fundamentally rural, and is loved by residents and visitors alike for its magnificent scenery, riverside walks and long-distance views. There is an excellent community identity based on the school, the two churches, the two village halls, the village pubs and the 'sports and social club' which has many affiliated sports clubs.

Objective

The development of a Neighbourhood Plan for Pool is being facilitated by Pool-in-Wharfedale Parish Council  with help from volunteers across the community. The Parish Council believes that this is a real opportunity for the community to have some ownership of future planning policy for the parish. Through the creation of the Plan, local people will have the opportunity to help shape future policies for land use and new development, such as homes, shops, employment sites, medical facilities, gardens and burial grounds. The Neighbourhood Plan for Pool will cover the Parish of Pool-in-Wharfedale. Subject to passing the formal tests, a local referendum and examination, the Neighbourhood Plan will become part of the local planning framework.

Statement explaining why this area is considered appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area.

The parish of Pool-in-Wharfedale is considered appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area for the following reasons:

•	The Pool Neighbourhood Plan will ensure that future policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the local community;
•	The Plan will be a means to guide, promote and enable balanced and sustainable change within the designated area;
•	The Plan will aim to preserve the character of Pool-in-Wharfedale and its parish as an attractive rural location with some local industry and good links with its local market town;
•	It will enable the retention of Pool as a distinct community, protecting the natural and built heritage, enhancing the conservation area and ensuring that Pool is not swallowed up by encroaching urban sprawl;
•	The Plan will aim to ensure that the needs of residents are met in the areas of housing, employment, education, health, leisure, recreation, sport, transport and burial, and that Pool maintains a well balanced, sustainable economic and physical environment

Statement that the organisation or body making the area application is a relevant body for the purposes of section 61G of the 1990 Act.

In accordance with Section 61G of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the body making the application to designate Pool-in-Wharfedale as a neighbourhood area is a parish council, Pool-in- Wharfedale Parish Council, established in pursuance of the Local Government Act 1972.

The consultation period runs from 26th September 2013 until 7th November 2013. A response form is available from www.leeds.gov.uk/planningpolicy and Otley Library. Written comments can be sent to the Chief Planning Officer. Leeds City Council, The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds LS2 8HD.