PREPARATORY work for the redevelopment of a major industrial plot in Otley is about to start.

The Ashfield Works site, off Westgate, is set to get a three storey care home along with offices, retail units - including a supermarket - and residential homes.

Planning permission for the scheme was granted last April.

The redevelopment will involve several of the buildings on the mostly derelict site, including a former printing press manufacturing base, converted while others will be demolished to make way for the new properties.

Two planning applications linked to the scheme, including one requesting a ‘change of use from light industrial to six dwelling houses’, have just been lodged.

Ward councillors have been told that activity, in the form of a fence being erected and preparatory work for the care home, should begin on the site within the next week or so.

The care home is to be built in the north-of-Westgate part of the site which is also due to get a number of retail and office units plus 128 parking spaces.

A 122 space public car park meanwhile, along with some homes and another retail unit, has been proposed for the southern section.