A PLAN to protect the centre of Great Harwood from dev-elopment has been unveiled.

Campaigners wanting to see large parts of the town centre designated as a conservation area had been frustrated by more than three years of delays.

But bosses said the scheme would now go ahead, with plans to include the main shopping stretch of Queen Street, as well as St Bartholomew’s Church, Churchfield House, and The Mercer baths.

And there are moves to ensure developers contribute to the town when they are given planning permission for sch-emes in the area.

Currently just the historic Town Gate area at the former town hall is classed as a conservation area, but community leaders said it was vital to protect other parts of the centre.

A 93-page document has now been produced detailing the new conservation area, which has to be rubber-stamped by council bosses.

New council leader Miles Parkinson said: “The advantage of extending the conservation area is that it means that only developments of the highest standard can be completed.

“It is ideal in the shopping areas because we can protect the town from looking scruffy, and really improve things for residents and visitors.”

Consultants Kathryn Sather and Associates said: “The exist-ing conservation area was desig-nated in 1976. It is at the heart of the medieval settlement of Lower Town and the 19th century industrial growth of the town of Great Harwood. The existing designated area focuses on key civic buildings and the Town Hall Square.