STEETON-with-Eastburn Parish Council has applied to draw-up a joint neighbourhood plan with neighbouring Silsden.

Earlier this month, following the approval of an outline scheme for 147 homes in Eastburn, fears were voiced that villages could lose their identities due to the sprawl of new housing.

Bradford Council this week began a two-month public consultation over the neighbourhood development plan applications.

If approved, the plans would give people a greater say over any form of development in their area.

"This is the first stage in the process," said a council spokesman.

"The application contains a proposed boundary for the neighbourhood development plan along with a brief statement on why the parish council and the boundary are appropriate.

"At this stage the consultation is only in relation to the neighbourhood area application. Further engagement will take place in each of the local communities in due course as the development plans themselves are produced by the relevant parish councils.

"The plans are a means to enable local people to have greater say over development in their communities, under the Localism Act.”

Consultation documents and comment forms are available at bradford.gov.uk, under the 'our latest consultations' section. Printed copies can be inspected at Silsden library.

Completed comment forms should be emailed to ldf.consultation@bradford.gov.uk or posted to the Local Plans Group, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, 2nd Floor South, Jacob's Well, Nelson Street, Bradford BD1 5RW, by 4pm on September 8.

Further information can be obtained by calling 01274 433679.