Letters to the Editor

SIR, - As a resident of 27 years on the Cambridge Estate I agree with the views of David Blake regarding the latest proposals to build large numbers of houses, industrial units and the continuation of the Otley bypass on the green and pleasant land beyond the Cambridge Estate.

I think the large scale of the development would destroy this environment and with the extraction of the gravel near Knotford Nook - to follow - will herald all the land between Otley and Pool being built up, sooner rather than later. I am sure no-one in this valley wants that.

There must be better solutions to the problem of providing houses than simply eating up our countryside. The planners are in effect foisting on Otley a problem which would be better dealt with in Leeds. There are far more houses proposed than are strictly required for the use of local people looking for houses.

Many of those who may buy will be commuting to Leeds. The local health and education services will apparently not be able to cope with such a large influx.

I feel it is not right that building the houses should be linked to building the bypass. This looks to be too 'cosy' an arrangement vis-a-vis the planners and the developers.

However most importantly the land in question is prone to flooding. Ask anyone who lives here. Much of it is apparently at a lower level than the River Wharfe and lying below the steep slope of the Chevin is often wet after heavy rain. Come and see it after storms or look down on it from the top of the Chevin. A word of advice to anyone contemplating buying a house if they build where they are thinking of doing - don't!

Peter Young

36 Cambridge Avenue,

Otley.

Time to protest

SIR, - I am sure your readers found David Blake's article in the Observer most absorbing and relevant to the proposed housing development in the east of Otley.

Is it not time the voices of residents were heard in a great protest at the proposal to not only ruin a beautiful area of Lower Wharfedale and at the same time create more congestion of road traffic and subsequent mayhem? I am reminded of years gone by and huge protests on various subjects, and the success of many. Even worldwide we had Gandhi, Jomo Kenyetta, Mandela and Martin Luther King.

Some became presidents - men of vision. Some called it civil disobedience, others protest marches or demonstrations. For goodness sake let us break out of this apathetic state. It will be useless crying over spilt milk when our beautiful countryside is ruined.

RON SCHOFIELD

42 Cambridge Drive,

Otley.

Ethics question

SIR, - With regard to the east of Otley bypass, I agree entirely with David Blake's views, especially 'A question of ethics'.

In any other form of business or life, ethical questions would not be out of place, but planning permissions are neither logical nor factual.

COLIN HARKER

Midgley Farm,

East Busk Lane,

Otley.

Mother's tale

SIR, - I agree 100 per cent with David Blake's view on the new development in the east of Otley. I believe also, we would suffer from a great increase of traffic on Side Copse and Crow Lane.

It is already used as a short cut by many and there are a lot of young children in this area and the short-cutters always drive too fast.

Also, I do not believe it would be Otley people who would benefit from the proposed new homes. For some time now we have been getting an influx from Leeds, and the Otley youngsters are being shipped out.

I can say this from experience because just over two and a half years ago, my daughter was expecting a baby. She applied for a council house in Otley.

She was assured she would not be moved out of town, because all her family and friends live here. Eventually she was offered a two-bedroom house in Kirkstall.

She arranged to view the property on January 25. Unfortunately, my grandson decided to put in an appearance ten days early. Out of sheer desperation, she accepted the house unseen. She duly received the keys. The house was a disgrace, boarded up and with metal doors, graffiti all over the outside walls. She lived in that house for three weeks before the boards were taken off and the doors replaced.

What kind of start was that for a new baby. As it is, she is living on the notorious Hawksworth estate. She is afraid to go out after dark, she dare not leave the house empty during the day, because of the constant break-ins. And why? Because Leeds City Council seems intent on making our little town of Otley as bad as the rougher areas of Leeds and at the expense of all our youngsters having to move out.

MOTHER

Otley.

(Name and address supplied).

Councillor replies

SIR, - I would very much like to reply to the letters regarding myself featured in last week's Wharfedale (letters, February 27). I stand on the town council as an independent town councillor, just the same as Councillor Richard Harker and Councillor Clive Fox stand as independent councillors on Bramhope Parish Council.

I have always maintained that this level of council does not have to be political and should be for the benefit of the town and not a political party. I have over the years on the council worked with many people who are Labour, Liberal, Conservative and some who do not even bother to vote. One prime example was the hospital campaign where I worked with the socialists in fighting for the hospital retention in Otley.

Nigel Gill makes it very clear that he has attended the town council meetings on a 'few occasions' and each time he has seen how the Lib Dems and Tories confer on how they are going to vote. This is totally untrue.

I have attended in the region of 300 meetings over the past 12 years and Nigel Gill's attendances I could count on one hand. My reference to asylum seekers was the fact that a town council cannot dictate on housing and affordable housing would be given to anybody and could easily include asylum seekers.

I have always maintained that anybody who stands for the council and gives up his or her time for the community deserves the respect of the town. I also believe that it is totally wrong to criticise on a personal level the workload a councillor does without first finding out the facts.

The people of Danefield and Otley know how hard I have worked for the community. Perhaps Nigel Gill would spend some time in telling us what he has done or achieved in the community?

Turning to Lucy Nuttgens letter, I have made it clear in the past that I lean towards the Conservative Party, but I have always funded my own campaigns out of my own pocket and hence I can honestly say that I am independent on the town council.

The questionnaire which was sent out in my name was part of an ongoing survey which as a Leeds city councillor, myself and Coun Clive Fox are rolling this out throughout the ward. Already, we have covered Manor Ward, Danefield Ward, Prince Henry Ward, West Chevin Ward and Pool. As Leeds City councillors, we are committed to finding out problems in our area and to hopefully act upon the information we have received.

I do not believe that you can say with justification that I always vote with the Lib Dems and the Conservatives and then in the next line point out that on East of Otley I voted against them!

To both these people who do not believe that you can run a council independently, without politics, but for the community and the benefit of all, I would suggest that they ring up the clerk of Morley Council who will inform them that Morley Town Council is run on a totally non-political basis with all the councillors there, irrespective of political persuasion working for the good of the town. On a recent visit, the Mayor of Otley was shown around by an independent (Labour member) who informed him that if anybody speaks politically on the council, they are shouted down by all the other councillors.

Coun Nigel Francis

6 Pearson's Buildings,

Otley.

Task Force facts

SIR, - Please allow me to respond to the letter from Ian Andrew in last week's Wharfedale and Airedale Observer. The claim that Otley Labour Party makes is that Otley Labour councillors initiatives brought about the setting up of the Otley Conservation Task Force.

Mr Andrew agrees with that, and that is our only claim in the Otley Link newsletter, to which he refers. Let me, as leader of Otley Town Council be specific - the task force was set up because of the initiative and foresight of Councillor Phil Coyne. He, along with Coun Ray Dunn are the only councillors represented on this body.

Only a fool would attempt to take away the tremendous enthusiasm and energy put into the Otley Conservation Task Force by Ian Andrew and his colleagues. Their energy and expertise has often been the driving force behind this town maintaining and retaining so many buildings of architectural character. Let it also be known that the only councillors ever to be part of Otley Conservation Task Force have been Labour councillors.

Ray Dunn was instrumental in the decision to extend the conservation area, by suggesting the manner in which it should be extended. It would appear that, as usual, a certain Lib Dem councillor appears to imply that he was instrumental in the proposed extension of the conservation area.

Let me reiterate, should I need to, no Lib Dem councillors attend the Conservation Task Force. Otley Labour Party does not retract one word, Labour councillors were instrumental in forming the task force - and continue to take an active interest.

We, of course, accept that individual members of the taskforce are free from political affiliation. However, I think that it is perfectly fair to point out that the Lib Dem/Tory alliance that operates on the town council would not have had the drive or initiative to set up the taskforce, and your readers will not be surprised to know that they attend none of the task force's meetings.

Coun John Eveleigh

Leader of Otley Town Council,

95 West Busk Lane,

Otley.

Election point

SIR, - I refer to the headline 'Mike aims to make a difference in Aireborough' in the February 20 edition of the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer. May I point out that he is not contesting the seats occupied by myself or Councillor Graham Latty on May 1, but that of Coun Mike Dunn (Lab) only, who I believe, is completing his term of office.

I would also like to confirm, to ensure Mr King has correct information, that the Conservative Party contesting prospective candidate is Stuart Andrew who lives in Yeadon and is the instigator of The Green Lane Action Group and chairman of Project Yeadon.

Coun Dr Makhan Thakur

Majentta Farm,

Mall Lane,

West Carlton.

Otley had its own urban council

SIR, I have been interested in the controversy about the proposed ward changes in this area of West Yorkshire, but would point out that the town of Otley was never part of the area ruled by the Wharfedale Rural District Council.

From 1884 to 1974, when it was taken over by the City of Leeds, Otley had its own Urban District Council, which I had the honour to serve as Clerk of the Council and also for a time as Chief Financial Officer from the end of August 1952 until the end of March 1974 when I took early retirement and Otley became part of the City of Leeds.

H Halstead

Flat 33,

Primrose Court,

Orchard Way,

Guiseley.