MORE than 1,500 householders in York are to be asked for their views on a landmark blueprint aimed at protecting the character of their local area.

Officials at City of York Council have drawn up a draft conservation report for the Fulford Road area, to help locals ensure distinctive local features and buildings are preserved.

Councillors will consider the draft on Thursday and are expected to formally kick start a major consultation with local people.

A summary of the proposals would be sent to 1,668 householders while Fulford Parish Council and Fishergate Planning Panel would also be consulted, along with local councillors.

The existing conservation area plan dates back to 1975 and officials want to update it to include other areas, including in Alma Grove, Wenlock Terrace, the southern end of Fishergate, Ordnance Lane, the Cavalry Barracks site, and the area around the Iceland and Aldi stores, beside Fulford Cross.

Fishergate councillor Andy D’Agorne said: “This is quite good timing really because there are development pressures and bits that should potentially be recognised as of importance to the character of the conservation area as a whole.”

The neighbouring Fulford Village Conservation Area was approved last year, and Coun D’Agorne said revising the Fulford Road scheme made sense.

He said: “There was a gap between the two, but they do now meet up with each other, so this is the logical next step forward.”

Police guidelines say a conservation area should be clearly defined and justified, and the council wants to add in areas that were not considered worthy of inclusion in 1975, but now are.

The blueprint will then be used as a basis for making decisions about the area into the future.