A conservation area looks set to be extended to protect more of its historic buildings.

Senior councillors are expected to agree to proposals to increase the size of the protected area in Horbury.

Local authorities are required to designate areas of special architectural or historic interest to preserve their character.

They feature more stringent controls on development and the demolition of buildings, along with further tree protection measures.

placeholder image — Horbury town hall and library buildings

A conservation area in Horbury was first created more than 50 years ago.

Wakefield Council’s cabinet members have been asked to approve plans to extend it to cover buildings on Westfield Road, including the town’s library and town hall.

Both buildings were rejected for national listing in 2019, but are expected to be added to the council’s list of “buildings of local interest.”

A report to cabinet members said: “If the proposed conservation area boundary extension is not approved, there is a risk of loss of assets of special architectural or historic

interest, or an erosion of the special character of the areas through unsympathetic development.

“There is also a reputational risk in not protecting areas that have been identified by local communities as important to their sense of identity and local pride.”

The extension would also cover Horbury Memorial Park and one of Britain’s last surviving World War Two gas decontamination centres.

The centre was constructed in 1939 and is described as a rare surviving example of its type.

It was given a Grade II listing seven years ago.

Proposals also include extended cover part of Cluntergate, Walker Lane and New Road, which “reflect the town’s medieval and 19th Century development".

A consultation document previously said: “Promotion of the special character and appearance of the conservation area should be carried out by the council and local groups to encourage greater awareness and pride in the historic environment here.

“Initiatives to encourage more interest in reinstatement of local architectural features including windows, doors and shop fronts should be designed and promoted.”

The recommendation comes after a public consultation which included Horbury Civic Society.

Cabinet members are to consider the report at a meeting on March 17.

There are currently 31 conservation areas across the Wakefield district after the council last month granted protected status to Castleford town centre and Felkirk village.