AN Otley relief road must be built before hundreds of new houses, say town councillors.

Although the town council has given its backing to the building of up to 500 new homes and an industrial estate on the east of the town, it says the adjoining relief road must be built first.

The council, which has also asked Leeds City Council to play a part in the drawing up of a planning brief, has asked that no gravel extraction, proposed for Midgeley Farm, should take place until the road is finished.

Some residents however are concerned about the proposals which they say will have a major impact on the town.

They say the town already suffers from heavy amounts of traffic and that the additional houses will only add to it.

Councillor Gerald McGowan, chairman of the council's plans committee, said it was believed that the housing estate, which could be started to be built in three years time, was justified by the building of the relief road.

"The consequent relief road will reduce the east/west traffic through Otley with a consequent reduction in fumes and congestion.

"The relief road will become even more important if gravel extraction is approved east of Otley."

He added that the town suffered enormously from a lack of affordable housing which meant young people being forced to move away.

"The lack of affordable housing reduces the numbers of the local work force and increases traffic movement in and out of the town."

Bringing more people into the town could also be a welcome boost for the town's traders.

By relocating businesses, such as Jefferies Transport, currently at Ashfield Works, Westgate, to the relief road, more space would be provided for other businesses.

Resident John Buck, of Danefield Terrace, fears that the new estate will mean more traffic and put an unacceptable burden on services.

And he believes drivers of heavy lorries will avoid the new road because he says it will have to be built on a steep incline.

"Any benefit derived from the by-pass will be completely negated by the increase in traffic generated by the new development.

"Goods drivers will avoid the steep road with its roundabouts, choosing the easier route through town."

Mr Buck added: "The schools, doctors, dentist and other services in Otley are currently at full capacity. The effect on local services of the houses, many of which will house families with school age children and will have more than one car, will only increase the problems already experienced."

Leeds City Council is currently consulting on selected changes to its planning blueprint, the Leeds Unitary Development Plan( UDP). As part of the review, it has made the 75 acres to the east of Otley a strategic housing site.

The council is currently proposing that up to 550 new homes and an industrial estate be linked to a East of Otley relief road - connecting the roundabout at Leeds Road to Stephen Smiths garden centre.

Comments can be made to Leeds City Council before Tuesday, February 18.

They should be sent to The Director of Planning, Leeds UDP Review Consultation, Freepost NEA2 123 Selectapost 5, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8ZY or Planning.udp@leeds.gov.uk.