It was supremely important that the eagerly awaited Airedale Masterplan was visionary yet practical.

It had at all costs to avoid falling into the trap of feeding cynics ammunition -- as has happened with the plans for Bradford, complete with City Hall lake.

This week the Airedale Masterplan was revealed -- it is packed with ideas, all of which with a fair wind and financial support are eminently achievable.

There will still be the cynics and others who will make negative comments as steps are taken to lift the masterplan off the drawing board into reality.

There is nothing wrong with that in the slightest. A good constructive debate which might even lead to changes will only strengthen the case for backing.

All we would encourage the cynics to do is look back and think what the reaction would have been when the philanthropists of old, who have left Keighley whith such a splendid heritage, first announced their plans.

They should also look back to the future and remind themselves of how the visions of men and women from Keighley and district led to innovations which have left their mark on the world.

As project director Mike Osbourne says, Keighley really does need to build on its qualities. It does have its qualities, as it is a town of heritage and innovation.

The Airedale Partnership, which commissioned the master plan, is united in its view that the plan is based on firm, realistic aspirations.

It now has the task of taking the plans forward and will demand that Bradford Council and Yorkshire Forward get behind the masterplan and open up the purse strings.

There's much work to be done and challenges to be met for this plan to succeed over the next 15 years to meet the 2020 Vision target.

Airedale is already a great place to live, work and play. Through the masterplan it can only get bigger and better.

We would urge all those who have the slightest interest in the future of Keighley to get behind these dynamic plans.

One way would be to ask the candidates in the forthcoming general election what they will do to make it happen. It not happening is just not an option.