PUBLIC consultation over the site for a new Wharfedale General Hospital is coming to an end.

And tomorrow and Saturday informal question and answer sessions will be held at Otley Civic Centre.

The four-month consultation, which included public meetings in Otley, Aireborough, Headingley and Bramhope, will finish at the end of this month with work on a new hospital planned to start in 2002.

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is asking people to comment on four possible site options - at the present site in Newall Carr Road, Otley, for either the refurbishment of the old buildings or the building of a new hospital; on land next to Garnetts Mill, off Pool Road, Otley; a new building on three acres of land at High Royds Hospital, Menston; or using refurbished buildings at High Royds.

Meetings held in Otley, Bramhope and Headingley showed most people thought the new hospital should stay in Otley, whereas the strength of feeling in Yeadon, Guiseley and Rawdon was for the hospital to be moved to High Royds.

For those living close to Menston, it made sense for the hospital to be sited at High Royds.

l An informal consultation is taking place tomorrow and Saturday at Otley Civic Centre when people will be able to discuss the proposals with Otley MP Harold Best, representatives of the health authority and trust and town councillors.

The sessions will run from 10am to 4pm and from 6pm to 8pm on Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

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