DEVELOPERS hoping to build a multi-million pound Sainsbury's supermarket at the site of the fire station in Otley could face competition from another company.

Otley and Wharfedale councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem) said he had received correspondence from West Yorkshire Fire Service indicating that another developer was interested the site currently occupied by the station on Bondgate.

The news comes a week after Sainsbury's submitted a planning application for their new store -- and the same week their spokeswoman announced the start of a comprehensive public consultation with the people of Otley.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire Service confirmed that they had been in negotiations with a supermarket developer for some time, but did not comment on Coun Kirkland's claims that a second developer was involved with the site.

Sainsbury's have offered to find another site in Otley and build a new fire station there.

Coun Kirkland said he was anxious to find out who the other developer was.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said she they were progressing with their own scheme and had no other comment to make.

Otley residents will be able to have their say about the Sainsbury's proposals during a three day exhibition starting next week. The exhibition will feature a scale model, artists' impressions, display boards and experts from Sainsbury's.

It runs next Thursday (2pm-8pm), Friday (12pm-5pm) and Saturday (11am-1pm) at Otley Civic Centre.

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