THE OWNERS of Otley's Garnett's Mill are to thrash out their plans with Otley Town Partnership.

Les Cross, of OTP, said this week that the partnership would be discussing blueprints for the site in relation to its own recently published 'A Vision for Otley's Riverside'.

Last week the London-based owner of the 22-acre riverside site revealed it was looking at redeveloping the mill land, at the end of Mill Lane, with a mixture of housing, offices and a small hotel or restaurant.

The scheme --which has been seen by Leeds planners, even though an official application has not been lodged --would also include a retirement village, a public circular riverside walk and possibly a doctors surgery and dentist.

Mr Cross said OTP was looking forward to discussing the scheme, but added that it would be arguing for the retention of employment uses at the site.

"We look forward to having a detailed discussion about the plan. Plainly, OTP would want to protect the employment use as a fundamental," he said.

Mr Cross added that although the partnership had discussed its riverside plan with Garnett's more than a year ago, members had not been aware of any large scale plans for the site.

The Partnership recently published its planning and development blueprint for Otley's riverside -- A Vision for Otley's Riverside.

The result of a £36,000 consultation paid for by OTP, the plan, meant as a guideline for would-be developers, includes the Garnett's site in some detail.

The plan states: "Current employment site to be retained, but consider longer term potential for limited additional development."

A riverside path is suggested with cycle links as part of any future longer term development of the Garnett's site while it is suggested that ancillary uses could be explored for the mill site itself.

It is also suggested that any future development of parts of the site should seek to keep existing employment levels, although a limited amount of 'other mixed uses' could be introduced.

A limited number of high-density housing on a 'limited' area would provide 'natural surveillance of the riverside.

The plan stresses that any development should include a riverside public walk on the Garnett's side and a cycle way from Otley Bridge to the White Bridge and to Gallows Hill.

New vehicle access from Gallows Hill and Pool Road are recommended as part of any larger scale development to reduce the traffic impact on the town centre.

A spokesman for site owners Brick Holdings, which leases the site to Garnett's, has said that the paper maker would continue to operate in the area, but added that the ending of an agreement with Yorkshire Water over its effluent disposal had presented Garnett's with an opportunity.

A meeting to discuss the scheme with Otley Town Council is due to be held later this month or next month and a full public consultation have been promised.

l Copies of A Vision for Otley's Riverside are available from the Wharfedale Newspapers offices, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley, or from Otley Town Partnership, Otley Courthouse, Courthouse Street.