CONCERNS about the look of the planned new £14 million Wharfedale Hospital are threatening to delay its start date next month.

Councillors at this week's Leeds City Council's area planning panel were unhappy about the choice of stone, the colour of the roof, the number of car parking places and the fact it resembled a 'research building' more suited to the south.

In an attempt to not delay the start of work on the new hospital, which will be built next to the current Wharfedale Hospital in Newall Carr Road, Otley, councillors agreed to hand over the decision to planning officers.

But if the officers fail to iron out the differences with the builders and the health trust, the scheme will have to come back to a future panel meeting - which could put back the hoped for start date.

At Tuesday's meeting of the development control panel west, Councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale) said although he found the plan acceptable, he was unhappy about the choice of building materials, the colour of the roof and the number of car parking places.

Councillors were told that negotiations for the hospital had continued right up to the last minute in an effort to get the scheme moving.

At their February meeting, panel members raised concerns about access to the site, parking provision and the look of the building.

On Tuesday, councillors were told changes had been made to the planned entrance and in addition to the 202 space car park, areas within the site could be used for additional car parking if needed.

The scheme also included a Green Transport Plan which would not only seek to encourage workers at the hospital to use public transport but also included provision for a Hopper Bus from Otley Bus Station.

Coun Coyne welcomed the suggestion of additional car parking but stressed that he would not want to see people in the area suffering from an overflow of cars from the hospital.

"It is critical that enough parking is provided on the site. I am concerned that the residents of Weston and Newall estates do not suffer from inadequate car parking and all the clutter that accompanies traffic schemes desi-gned to restrict cars."

And he was also concerned about the quality of building materials proposed.

"The quality of the stone used in the poor house is very high and is characteristic of Otley, I don't think that the materials proposed are the same level of quality.

"I'm also concerned about the colour and cladding of the roof. This building will be seen from all over Otley. It is a white building with a virtually white roof, it will be highly visible and will not recede into the background."

Coun Coyne called for further negotiations to go on between the builders HBG Construction and planning officers with regard to the building materials in an attempt to make the building less bright and dominant.

And Coun Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale) added: "As it stands, it does not reflect its setting. It's not right in its Otley setting and could be anywhere down south. It actually looks like some sort of research building."

Principal planning officer Martin Sellens told the panel that it was important that progress was made with the application because it was 'time critical'.

He suggested that the panel approve the scheme in principal but defer the final decision to planning officers.

Discussions will involve ward councillors and also councillors from Aireborough after Coun Moira Dunn (Lab, Aireborough) said the plan was important for everyone in the AIreborough and Horsforth and not just Otley and Wharfedale.

l Work on the new hospital is due to start next month with a planned opening date of early 2004.