ARSONISTS have forced the demolition of the majority of one of Otley's last remaining industrial buildings.

The old tannery in Gay Lane suffered extensive damage last month when it was set alight by arsonists, believed to be a group of teenagers.

And now Sainsbury's development company Litton Properties, which owns the site, has ordered the majority of the building to be demolished.

Once the site is cleared, Sainsbury's, which is currently trying to build a store close by in Bondgate, will decide what to do with the site.

Now, a retired architect has called on Sainsbury's to adapt its plans and make use of the cleared site to reduce any potential traffic problems on Bondgate.

Peter Kelley, of Bondgate Pottery, said the fire at the tannery might prove to be a blessing in disguise.

"With the demolition of half the main building to the south nearing completion, the main obstacle to re-thinking service vehicle access to the proposed new store has now been removed.

"Surely Sainsbury's development partners will now see sense and approach Kwik Fit with an offer they can't refuse in return for re-siting their operation in Station Road."

Mr Kelley, a former architect with Bradford Council, claimed likely traffic problems caused by the development were still to be addressed.

"Neither the planners nor the traffic engineers in Leeds, or the developers, are giving serious consideration to the traffic problems which will ensue should the development be approved in its present form."

Mr Kelley has sent his scheme to both Sainsbury's and Otley councillors.

"The alternative scheme would be an aesthetic improvement to Bondgate and moreover present an opportunity for adventurous landscaping in order to make the approach to the new store visually appealing."

A spokeswoman for Litton Prop-erties, the property developers acting for Sainsbury's property company, said a surveyors report had revealed that the southern part of the tannery was dangerous and needed to be demolished immediately.

She said on Tuesday: "We expect the demolition work to be completed in the next couple of days and will then take a view on plans for the rest of the building."