HOSPITAL chiefs are confident that a new Wharfedale Hospital will be built in Otley by 2004.

Heads of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust told Otley councillors this week that the Outline Business Case based on a new hospital at the present site in Newall Carr Road had been submitted to the regional health executive at Durham.

David Johnson, trust chief executive, said it was hoped the OBC would be approved before Christmas and that outline planning permission would be approved by Leeds City Council early next year.

The trust would then be seeking a private backer to build the hospital - estimated to cost around £15 million.

And the trust has promised to work more closely with Otley Town Council in future.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Prince Henry ward) said Monday's meeting was very positive.

"We did get the commitment that the trust would consult with us more fully either informally or formally to allow better community involvement in the whole process."

The trust is planning to set up a liaison group with the Leeds North West Primary Care Group that will deal with the new

hospital.

And the trust said there was a possibility that the council could have some input into the group.

Coun Campbell added: "As the representatives of the community in Otley it is not unreasonable that we are part of the whole process.

"If we involve the community right at the beginning of the

discussions there won't be

misconceptions and we can make a positive contribution."

And Gerald McGowan (Lab, Manor) said: "The trust seemed to think the deal was something that the private sector would find a good operation."

Coun McGowan said he had asked whether a representative from the town council could sit on the liaison group.

"They said it would be up to the PCG but that they would welcome any input we might have.

"We would be looking at either having a place on the group or just writing to the PCG, there are certainly ways that the council can have an input into the whole process."

One of the topics the group will be discussing will be the services on offer at the new hospital.

Coun McGowan added: "We have to be positive and show the trust that the whole community is behind the hospital.

"I said we must show that we are fully committed to this. We can't show any criticism of the trust and we must be positive."

He added if the council was involved in discussions about

services at the new hospital the council would have to accept part of the responsibility if plans did not go as it might have wanted.

l Outine plans for a new three storey hospital on the present Wharfedale Hospital site in Newall Carr Road, Otley, were submitted last week.

It is planned that the hospital will be built at the back of the present site. The Grade II listed former Victorian workhouse buildings will be preserved and converted into residential accommodation.