NEW rules banning people from placing memorial seats at some of the district’s best known beauty spots – including parts of Penistone Hill above Haworth – have been given the green light.

The policy restricts the number of benches which can be installed at certain locations, to retain their natural appearance.

It was approved by Bradford Council's executive.

The council has introduced the rules controlling memorials in its parks, as well as its rural and woodland sites, after countryside groups raised concerns that some of the areas were nearing capacity.

Groups also reported the problem of memorials – such as bunches of flowers, shrubs and trees and even in one case a small decorative fence – appearing without permission.

Under the new policy, the council will remove unauthorised memorials. Floral tributes will be taken away once they have died off.

The council will still install memorial benches or plant trees in many areas on request and charge families for the cost of this. But families will be expected to maintain benches and if they fall into disrepair they will be removed.

Council bosses said while they recognised it was a sensitive issue, this approach had been backed by the majority of members of the public who responded to a survey last winter.

Councillor Val Slater, deputy council leader and executive member for planning, said: “We do understand that many people want to leave a special tribute to a loved one, perhaps in a favourite place, and we want to support them doing this.

“But we also have to balance this with the need to protect our countryside, parks and woodland for future generations.

“We hope these guidelines will accommodate both these needs.”

At Penistone Hill, no more benches will be allowed along part of Cemetery Road but may be permitted on other parts of the moor. Trees planted must be native, with no plaques. A memorial garden in Haworth Park will be an alternative place for people to install benches.

At Harden Moor and Keighley Tarn, benches and native trees with no plaques will be permitted in some areas.

At the St Ives Estate, Harden benches will be permitted at the manager’s discretion, but must be in keeping with others in situ. Trees can be planted, with the inclusion of a small memorial plaque.