A FAR REACHING £36,000 study has been commissioned into the future of Otley's riverside.

The masterplan will set out to create an overall strategy for the almost two mile stretch from Otley Sailing Club to Gallows Hill.

Commissioned by Otley Town Partnership (OTP), the study will involve residents and landowners and seek the views of all those with an interest in the future of the riverside.

Adrian Spawforth, of consultants Spawforth Associates said the study might conclude that people were happy with the riverfront as it was. On the other hand, it might come up with a variety of suggestions including riverside bars, the re-design of walkways through Wharfemeadows Park, improved leisure facilities and better access to the river.

Mr Spawforth said: "We shall be looking at the riverside comprehensively rather than in a piecemeal way. Things like soft landscaping, the ecology, improvement in access to the river and uses beside the river.

"We are really looking to the residents of Otley to tell us what they would like to see."

Mr Spawforth, whose company is currently doing a similar study in Bedale, said he believed Knaresborough was a good example of a riverside well used.

"Without a doubt, Knaresborough is the best example. Over time they have put things there like the boating and picnic areas next to the river. I'm not saying Otley should be the next Knaresborough, but over the next 20 years or so it could be something to work towards."

Phil Coyne, chairman of the partnership's environment group said that many people believed that not enough was made of the riverside.

"It may be that people value the unspoilt beauty of the riverside, on the other hand some people might see great potential for development," he said.

Mr Coyne suggested one development could be the setting up of a riverside bar on the Ashfield Works site.

And he believed Wharfemeadows Park was a great asset that could be developed further.

"To be a success this plan must take into account the views of residents, landowners and the various groups and individuals that use this area. We hope to produce a plan that is both visionary and realistic, the sort of plan that has led to the transformation of the riverside in Leeds."

Ian Stewart, Otley Market Towns Initiative manager said: "The river is removed from the rest of the town, you could easily walk around Otley and not notice the river was there."

He added parking and access to the river was also a problem. "We want to make it easier for people to get to the river."

The first public meeting to gauge people's views is due to be held at Otley Civic Centre on November 6 and it will be followed by workshops and a display early next year of the draft plan. It is intended that the masterplan will eventually be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) which would be used by Leeds City Council as a benchmark for any future development.

The consultants will also be speaking to landowners, such as the Wharfebank Business Park and Garnetts, and will be in discussions with the Environment Agency about planned flood relief measures.

"We shall be talking to landowners, they might have their own ambitions which might not quite be in step with the community," said Mr Spawforth.

At next month's meeting, people will be asked to suggest the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the riverside. Mr Spawforth added: "This is an open public debate to find out what people want."

l The meeting at Otley Civic Centre on Thursday, November 6 is due to take place from 7pm to 9pm. People may also send written comments to Philip Coyne, OTP, Otley Civic Centre, Cross Green, Otley.