A project to be launched on Monday could make a major impact on future building in a Worth Valley parish.

Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council, together with the local community, has set up a working group to draw up its Neighbourhood Development Plan.

The document will give the parish the power to say what kind of development will be allowed within its boundaries, what the development will look like and where it is placed.

Government localism legislation has given authority to parish councils to put together Neighbourhood Development Plans so communities can have a greater say in planning policies affecting their areas.

Haworth Parish Council was approved as the appropriate authority to deliver a plan by Bradford Council last November.

Parish council chairman Councillor John Huxley said: “This will be one of the most important pieces of work ever undertaken by our council.

“While it won’t give us the powers to refuse permission for developments, it would give us the opportunity to shape where housing and business development is allowed and what any kind of development looks like.

“This is a project that should matter to anybody who cares about the future of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury.

“Bradford Council’s Local Development Framework projects Haworth should provide land for 500 new houses in the next 25 years. Preparing a Neighbourhood Plan and going for a Local Development Plan will give us a strong voice in that process.”

The working group will stage public consultations so it can demonstrate what parish residents think about what development should be allowed and where. The first consultation will be at St Gabriel’s Church in Stanbury from 10am until midday on March 15.

This will be followed by further meetings at Haworth Methodist Church, in West Lane, from 10am until midday on March 29; St James’s Church in Cross Roads, from 10am until midday on April 5 and then back at Haworth Methodist Church on April 23 from 7pm until 9pm.

Coun Huxley added: “We’re launching a publicity programme to engage as many in the parish as possible.

“We’re establishing our own website and a Facebook page, haworthcrossroadsstanburyndp .

“We’re appealing to anybody who cares about the future of the parish’s housing, jobs and land use to come to the consultations and make their feelings known.”