A PICTURE postcard village is said to be at a turning point in its history.

The popular tourist destination of Ripley, between Harrogate and Ripon, has been owned and developed by the Ingilby family over the past 600 years.

However, half the village's homes are now in private ownership, which a newly published report said put the village at a turning point.

A village design statement which, if adopted, would be part of planning guidelines, has just been published for consultation.

The statement is aimed at helping homeowners appreciate the importance of the village's original concept, quality and detail of its buildings.

The report said: "It is important to remember we are only guardians of our property for the next generation."

Lord of the manor, Sir Thomas Ingilby, whose family still live at Ripley Castle, welcomed the initiative.

The village has about 200 residents, and the report said it was essential that property alterations and new buildings harmonised with existing properties in the conservation area.

The report said: "It is important that this generation makes decisions for our village that future generations will appreciate, as we today admire the visual qualities and workmanship of our ancestors."

The report acknowledged that there is little land available for new development, and said new building must be rigorously controlled, particularly on open spaces.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the original Ripley was on the north bank of the River Nidd but in the early 14th Century, the village and church were relocated by the Ingilby family.