The people of Pool will be able to help shape the village’s new conservation area from next week.

Proposals for an area that would cover most of the village and stretch out to Old Pool Bank have been almost wholly endorsed by a Leeds City Council review.

From Monday the draft conservation area plans will be on display at Pool Memorial Hall as part of a public consultation being carried out by the authority.

They will be available for viewing in the Upper Room from 2pm to 7pm daily, until the consultation deadline of August 12 and visitors will be able to leave comments and ideas.

A Leeds City Council conservation officer will also be present on two days, from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, July 18, and from 3pm to 7pm on Wednesday, July 22, to answer any questions.

For Pool resident, author and local historian Pat Lazenby, who has been the driving force behind the conservation area work, the consultation marks the final hurdle in a campaign that stretches back to 2001.

She said: “I must thank Pool Parish Council for their initial support, both financial and otherwise.

“Without them this project would never have been completed. I have also been pleased to learn recently that Leeds City Council had received money to advance the cause from three of the area ward councillors, whom we must thank.

“There are, however, still hurdles to cross and processes to go through before we are granted conservation status.

“It does seem likely that we may receive the standing we deserve as our village history dates back to before the Domesday Book of 1086, and with some of our old buildings fortunately escaping the builders’ demolition ball.”

Gaining conservation area status should give the relevant parts of the village more statutory protection from unwelcome developments.

The full Pool conservation area appraisal is available on the city council’s website, at leeds.gov.uk/conservation.