A DESIGN statement identifying the special character a North Yorkshire tourist hot spot has been approved.

The village of Ripley, between Harrogate and Ripon, has over the past 600 years been owned, developed and cared for by the Ingilby family.

Today, half the village's homes are privately owned putting the village at a turning point.

After consultation with residents, Ripley's village design statement has been approved by Harrogate Borough Council Cabinet.

It will play a key role in determining the future planning of the village and will be used as additional planning guidance.

Councillor Richard Cooper said it would be a valuable approach to identifying what was significant about village character, providing guidelines for conservation and development.

The idea for a village statement grew from a public meeting called by Sir Thomas Ingilby in September 2001 and was taken up by a group of interested people in the community.

They were given advice by a planning consultant in liaison with planners from Harrogate Borough Council.

Sir Thomas, whose family still live at Ripley Castle, welcomed the initiative.

The village has a population of about 200 people and, after recently breaking through the 150 barrier, moved its local government status from parish meeting to a parish council.