Riverside key

Unless the town cashes in on its most valuable asset and develops it with a mixture of housing, eateries and businesses, it could find itself lagging behind more go-ahead riverside towns, they said.

Consultants employed by Otley Town Partnership (OTP) at a cost of £36,000 revealed their vision of Otley's riverside for the next 25 to 30 years in front of more than 100 people at a meeting at Otley Civic Centre on Tuesday.

And although it was stressed by both the consultants and OTP that the proposals were merely suggestions and not firm plans, it was pointed out that Otley needed to move forward if it was to survive in an increasingly competitive market.

But some residents pointed out that the draft plan was too development led, needed to focus more on leisure facilities and contained little benefit for the town.

Architect and town planner Adrian Spawforth, of consultants Spawforth Associates, responded by saying the plan for the stretch of riverside from Armitage Monobond to the west of the town to Gallows Hill nature park, had been put together using the ideas and suggestions of landowners, residents and councillors and by talking to business owners and traders.

Mr Spawforth pointed out that the River Wharfe was a 'phenomenal' asset for the town but that unlike other towns it was not used to its best advantage.

The vision, which was based on the ideal that large land occupiers Armitage Monobond and Garnett's had vacated their sites, featured extra car parking on the outskirts of the town, a hotel and housing on the Armitage Monobond site and housing and businesses on the Garnett's site.

He said there should also be a circular walk giving greater access to the riverside and an attractive walk for people coming into the town and up to three additional eateries for people to enjoy next to the river.

"The development pressure on the river frontage in the next 20 years is going to be formidable.

"Otley has this phenomenal asset and if nothing is done every other town along the river will capitalise on their prime asset and make the most of it.

"They will use the river as a way of catching people and maximise their potential.

"If Otley does nothing, it will fall down.

"It is in danger of going into decline and there is evidence to show that towns that seek to stand still will go backwards."

Mr Spawforth pointed out that many people had expressed concern about their safety while walking close to the river.

He said a way of increasing safety was to build housing which could also include affordable housing.

He said that the Garnett's site was the best in the town and urged people to consider if it was used to its best advantage.

Otley Mills was already well used and should be allowed to develop, but with a riverside restaurant including a crossing point as part of a circular walk along the river.

Mr Spawforth said if Garnett's was to move somewhere else in the town more appropriate to a company needing heavy goods vehicles, the site could be redeveloped with a mixture of housing and business.

"This is what visioning is all about.

"It should not be rejected out of hand, but should be thought of in the context of what is going to happen in the next 20 years," he said.

He added that the owner of the former Bridge End auction mart was unlikely to want to hand it over as a park - as some people suggested would be its best use.

"In the real world we have to consider what might happen. If a developer comes to you with a suggestion, do you say no, or do you say maybe."

Cliff Barry, Garnett's vice chairman, agreed that the specialist paper makers was experiencing changes and predicted market forces meant it would change even more.

He offered to work closely with proposals but warned of losses of an annual £4 million to Otley if it was to move out of the town.

l The exhibition of plans, including a chance for people to make written comments, is on now at Otley Civic Centre until April 12.