A ROW has broken out over who is to blame for the collapse of talks for a new Wharfedale hospital.

Last week, the health trust announced it had failed to come to an agreement with landowner Garnett over the sale of the proposed site off Pool Road, Otley.

It came just days after Garnett's said it was putting housing plans for the same site on ice and was throwing its weight behind the new hospital.

Now the paper specialist company has said it is disappointed that the trust has gone public and claims it is still open to negotiations.

Garnett added it was happy to share the cost of carrying out investigations at the site but had been presented with too many conditions by the trust.

The Pool Road site was chosen in July last year after a year's consultation which saw it score highest against High Royds Hospital at Menston and the refurbishment of the current hospital in Newall Carr Road.

Days later, the trust submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council for the £8 million hospital - but the council is still waiting for more information from the trust before it is ready to make a decision.

A spokesman for Garnett said: "Garnett is disappointed to hear that the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has issued a Press release indicating a change of heart regarding the relocation of the Wharfedale Hospital to Pool Road.

"It is known that the trust has not succeeded in its planning application for the new hospital from Leeds City Council, or resolved the issues raised by the environment agency."

The spokesman says a proposal was received from the trust about the proposed site next to Garnett's mill off Pool Road.

"The proposal involved the trust having an open ended option to purchase the Pool Road site, but with many conditions on Garnett, who therefore found the proposal unacceptable.

"This brownfield site is obviously preferable, but more costly to develop, and Garnett has been happy to share with the trust the costs of site investigation, in the interests of the best local solution.

"This is still the case should the hospital authorities wish to reconsider."