HOUSING developers have been in talks with Sainsbury's over the future of Otley's old tannery in Gay Lane, it was revealed this week.

And the conversion of the rundown former tannery to homes is likely to depend on whether the supermarket giant gets planning permission for its smaller style store off Bondgate.

It will also depend on whether the site is not needed as an alternative home for the fire station which will have to be moved from Bondgate to make way for the new supermarket - if permission is granted.

On Monday, Sainsbury's representatives met with Otley town councillors and revealed housing developer Crest Homes - responsible for the conversion of Ilkley College - was very keen on the old tannery.

Jane Blower, Sainsbury's spokesman, also revealed that the company was still waiting to discuss the scheme with Leeds planners - even though the application was submitted more than eight weeks ago.

But she added that although Sainsbury's could now appeal to the Secretary of State to decide on the scheme, it was highly unlikely to do so.

She added there were now four possible sites for a relocated fire station within Otley town centre - not including the tannery - and these were now with the fire authority awaiting a decision.

"Out of these, we believe one or two are really serious goers. If they are not we will look again at the tannery and until we know what is going to happen we will have to leave the tannery.

"We want to do something residential with the tannery and believe it is financially viable. We have been in discussions with Crest Homes and they are very, very interested."

Councillors at Monday's finance and general purposes committee were told that plans for Sainsbury's multi-million pound store were very likely to change substantially following discussions with planning officers at Leeds and ahead of permission being granted.

A team of planning consultants and traffic experts for Sainsbury's told councillors it was hoped to change the sequence of lights at Manor Square to improve traffic flow and to make improvements to the Burras Lane, Station Road and Kirkgate junction.

Councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale), said although he had some concerns, the scheme could be acceptable.

But he stressed the demolition of the tannery was not an option and that the actual design of the Sainsbury's store had little architectural merit.

"We certainly want a building in that location, whatever it is, that in 20 years' time will reflect the quality of the landscape.

"Providing the tannery is saved and providing we get satisfactory relocations of the current users of the site, this appears to be an interesting scheme."

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said planning officers had not received any requests from Sainsbury's to discuss the application since it was submitted.

"It is not unusual for an application of this size and complexity to take more than eight weeks to determine as we have to await responses from the numerous bodies we have a statutory duty to consult.

"Once these responses have been received, we will contact Sainsbury's to discuss their application further. We expect to do this very shortly."

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