MONEY from any development of High Royds in Menston could be used across the whole of Aireborough claim community leaders.

The future of any public money gained by the development of the hospital site is to be debated by the Aireborough community.

And because the site falls within Aireborough, money given to the community through a possible planning agreement, could end up being used in Rawdon, Guiseley or Yeadon.

But people in Menston are also showing interest in the potential planning gain - claiming the village may suffer from heavy traffic increases and a sudden rise in the number of school-age children as a result of the development.

Members of Aireborough Community Involvement Team (CIT) have invited a senior Leeds City Council planning officer to their meeting on September 4 at Yeadon Town Hall.

The team will discuss future development at the Menston psychiatric hospital. They also hope to debate how to spend money which may be given to the council as part of a Section 106 agreement - often given by developers for green space provision, road alterations, or any improvements to compensate for the effect of the development.

As the High Royds Hospital site falls within the Leeds local authority, in the Aireborough ward, it is envisaged that cash gained from the planning process will go towards providing facilities in Rawdon, Yeadon or Guiseley.

But Ilkley parish councillor Audrey Brand is keen to see any planning gain benefit Menston, as the hospital is on the village's doorstep.

She said: "It's bound to affect us. The nearest junior school is Menston, which had a very good reputation, and I have heard that people will move into the area just so their children can go to school in Menston."

She is also concerned about any increase in traffic on the already-busy A65 - especially if land behind Back Lane, Guiseley, and behind the Greenwoods factory, Guiseley, is also developed.

The successful bidder for the High Royds Hospital site is expected to be chosen shortly, but agents handling the sale say the developer - and the plans for the site - are not expected to be revealed for some months.