THE new owners of Otley's former Wharfedale Hospital buildings said this week that redevelopment plans are about to be revealed.

The listed former Wharfedale Union Workhouse, which were vacated by the hospital last year, passed into the hands of national regeneration agency, English Partnerships, at the end of June.

A spokeswoman said yesterday that talks had already started with English Heritage and the planning authority with a view to coming up with a 'sympathetic development'.

She said: "English Partnerships took ownership of the former Wharfedale Hospital site at the end of June as part of a larger transfer from NHS estates totalling 96 sites across the country.

"We are currently reviewing all these sites to establish their best future use.

"It is too early to identify specific plans for this site. However, we will work closely with the local authority when reviewing it and are committed to actively engaging local people wherever possible to bring forward development that benefits the community.

"We are aware that this site contains a number of listed buildings, as do several of the others we have inherited.

"We have already begun talks with English Heritage and local authorities to see how our aspirations and theirs can be satisfied in terms of bringing forward sympathetic development on sites with listed buildings."

The spokeswoman added every effort had been made to keep the buildings secure.

"In the meantime, the buildings will remain boarded to keep them secure, but we hope to start a dialogue with the local authority shortly to discuss the future use of the site."

Inmates were given jobs, including the cutting of railway sleepers into firewood, and some could spend up to 40 years of their lives there.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said he hoped to see a sympathetic use of the buildings, many of which he believed had great significance for the town.

He also welcomed the early redevelopment rather than them being left to fall into disrepair.

"I would expect a sympathetic development as these buildings have a lot of history and any redevelopment would need to reflect that."

He added when the first plans for the replacement hospital were revealed it was suggested that the old buildings could be converted into sheltered housing and health surgeries, including doctors and dentists surgeries.

The Victorian Wharfedale Union Workhouse, which became known as Newhall, was opened in 1873 at a cost of £15,000, plus £1,400 for a later extension.

The workhouse provided permanent accommodation for around 100 men, women and children and in addition a number of casual wards for vagrants or tramps.