A VILLAGE is to receive new status as a Conservation Area, after its community spent more than five years putting together research.

The southern part of Sessay, near Thirsk, looks set to be granted the special status in December. The village has ancient farming ancestry and its medieval system of ridge and furrow fields still remains evident today, along with its Grade II-listed church designed by Victorian architect William Butterfield, who also designed the neighbouring school and several estate cottages.

Now Hambleton District Council officers have recommended Sessay is designated Hambleton’s 54th Conservation Area, coinciding with England’s first ever Conservation Area, which was established 50 years ago at Stamford in Lincolnshire.

Members of the authority are expected to confirm the decision at the full council meeting in December, following recommendations from its cabinet on October 10.

Evidence for a Conservation Area in Sessay was gathered during a five year Heritage Lottery Fund project run by residents, relatives, local historians and a visiting professor. Enthusiasts initially researched and produced a 70 panel village history exhibition; more recently they have published a comprehensive 180 page book - ‘Essays from Sessay’.

The designation of a Conservation Area in Sessay was sparked by the initiative of residents and others passionate about the village’s local distinctiveness.

Sessay Parish Council built upon the community’s endeavours to produce a draft Conservation Area Appraisal, setting out why the village history, architecture and archaeology made it of special interest, worthy of local designation and protection.

As well as William Butterfield's buildings, there is a lost medieval manor and village and a surviving medieval landscape of ridge and furrow fields along with areas of wildlife.

Deborah Wall, Historic Places Principal for the Yorkshire region at Historic England said: “The community at Sessay have invested great time and energy into understanding their very special place. It is fabulous news that fifty years on from the first Conservation Area being designated, Sessay will become a Conservation Area and that future generations will also be able to appreciates its unique character.”

And Darren Ratcliffe RIBA, Sessay Parish Councillor, added: “Sessay evolved from ancient farming ancestry, a medieval ridge and furrow field system remains evident in the landscape, the land in and around Sessay continues to be agricultural.

“The character and appearance of Sessay means different things to people, setting out clearly what residents value is not easy and requires time. Feedback from our Community Plan and Conservation Area consultation shows that our community cherishes its heritage, landscape, ecology and wildlife.

"Achieving Conservation Area Status provides a level of protection for what our community values and will help to preserve this for future generations.

“Having achieved Conservation Area status our next objective would be to work with the local community and Hambleton District Council to produce a Management Plan for the area to prioritise the actions needed for Sessay to continue to change and grow into the future.”