EACH of the five market towns across one Yorkshire Dales district is to be the subject of scrutiny this summer.

Across Hambleton Conservation Area appraisals are to be undertaken for Northallerton, Thirsk, Stokesley, Bedale and Easingwold to help guide future development and improvement work. Buildings and areas in need of attention will be identified so that guidance on improvements can be given.

The council’s current appraisals for the towns are now out of date having been produced between 1998 and 2003 and do not take into account current advice from English Heritage.

Councillors have agreed to use £20,000 set aside for market town grants this year to pay for the appraisals.

It is hoped that the appraisals will be completed by October. Consultation work will be undertaken prior to their adoption in December.