OTLEY'S fallen maypole is set to be replaced after a planning application was submitted to Leeds City Council.

The smaller of the town's maypoles, on Manchester Square, was removed after it fell over last September. It was discovered that the pole was rotten at the bottom.

Now Otley Town Council has submitted a planning application for a replacement maypole, made of galvanised steel. Planning permission for a maypole in the same location had already been granted in January 2002 as part of an application to amend the layout of the area.

In a Design and Access Statement submitted with the latest application the town council says: "In order for the new pole to be installed the remains of the base previous pole will be removed. Any paving that is required to be removed to excavate the old pole and create foundations for the new pole will be re-installed as per the original design."

It adds: "The primary need for the proposed maypole is to replace the wooden maypole which fell over in September 2020 due to rotting of the pole below the ground (therefore not visible when inspected). A replacement in galvanised steel, painted white, has been selected to provide a long-lasting solution (at least 25 years) with less risk to the public, subject to regular inspection by a qualified structural engineer.

"Having a maypole and maypole dancing is a long-standing tradition in Otley, with at least 4 local maypole dancing groups and local school children using the pole as part of current May Day celebrations. Manchester Square was re-paved, and a new maypole installed in 2002, to create a safer surface for the maypole dancers. "

"The Town Council has selected a simple, galvanised steel pole, which will have the original crown re-instated in order to provide a replacement that has the same appearance to the original pole, therefore it will not have an impact on the street scene in the conservation area.

Cllr Richard Hughes said: "The Town Council is very supportive of the maypole dancing tradition in Otley. We were pleased to pay for a new metal pole and refurbished crown to ensure that the tradition can continue."