A PLANNING blueprint for a North Yorkshire village has been hailed as a golden opportunity to influence future restoration and development.

Following two years' work, a village design statement for Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, has just been completed.

It makes key planning recommendations for the future after analysing characteristics of the village, and describing qualities valued by residents.

The venture involved the par-ish council, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty project and Harrogate Borough Council, as well as consultation with every household.

Work started in September 1999, when the parish and borough council organised a workshop. More workshops photo-graphed and discussed the envir- onment and a design group was set up, followed by an open day for residents. Recommendations in the design statement include the fact that development should follow traditional style of linear building and that it should not extend beyond village boundaries

Large single units grafted on to present homes should be avoided and preference should be given to smaller size homes, it says.

Other recommendations include a review of parking in Main Street and that telephone wires should be placed underground.

The borough council's planning committee is being asked to approve it as a basis for external consultation.