LIB DEMS SAY THE PEOPLE OF OTLEY MUST HAVE THEIR SAY ON DEVELOPMENT

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th Jan 2005

Otley & Yeadon Liberal Democrats have called for local residents to be consulted over plans for a major development east of the Cambridge Estate in Otley.

Local Campaigner, Cllr Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson) and the three Otley & Yeadon Councillors are conducting a survey of Otley residents, starting with delivering a questionnaire to every house in Danefield Ward, the area closest to the site of the proposed development.

The proposal is that a total of 850 houses will be built to the East of the Cambridge Estate and overall impact on Otley is that the population will increase by approximately 15%. Original figures were for 550 houses but the latest proposals have seen these figures increase by 35%.

Cllr Greg Mulholland believes the number of houses is too many and is aware that local people are very concerned about the plans. "People on the Cambridge Estate have been aware of the possibility of this development for many years, but not on this scale. Now that there are firm plans on the table, it is time to involve local people to ensure they have their say".

Cllr Graham Kirkland adds, "All too often developers try to push schemes without local residents getting the chance to contribute their views and we will make sure that this does not happen on this occasion.

The site itself however is also a cause for some concern as Cllr Colin Campbell points out "We are concerned that the area would be liable to flooding and we are urging the authorities to look into this properly and the likely environmental impact of any development before allowing plans to get any further forward".

Cllr Mulholland concludes "No development should go ahead unless it is in the interest of the people of Otley. We will pass on all responses to the Council and will make sure residents concerns are raised at this stage and that any scheme properly takes this into account."