East Keswick
is a small settlement in the hinterland of Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire
conurbation. It incorporates some very valuable qualities which need, in the
public interest, to be protected and improved by the planning system.
This Village
Design Statement (VDS) relates to the village and its surrounding countryside
up to the parish boundaries. It represents the views of the community of East
Keswick and is intended to guide decisions taken in relation to development in
and around the village, as well as identifying opportunities for future
positive action to preserve and enhance the village and its rural
setting.
The VDS has
been adopted by Leeds City Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance to be
taken into account whenever it is relevant to the exercise of its powers as the
local planning authority. It is also intended to guide local initiatives and to
assist in guiding the quality of development even where planning permission is
not required (as in cases where permitted development rights exist) in order to
ensure that future generations may enjoy the village and its
surroundings