IT is difficult not to feel hugely disappointed at the breakdown of talks between Garnett's and the health trust over the building of a new Wharfedale Hospital.

The trust has said it is negotiating for another site in the town and is still fully committed to building in Otley.

It's keen to point out that it is not a case of being back to square one and that it is forging ahead with its business plan.

It may seem that the fact that it no longer has a confirmed site and is not even close to putting in a planning application would put it in a desperate situation.

But ever keen to put on a brave face, the trust has said it is disappointed but committed to coming up with another site.

Bearing in mind the area of land needed to build a new hospital and that both the current site in Newall Carr Road and High Royds Hospital at Menston have been ruled out, what space are we left with? And where in Otley?

The trust is keeping quiet at the moment, but other than next to the yet to be built East of Otley relief road - where else is there?

Yes, original plans for a new hospital are well past the hoped for start date and yes, it will be at least five years before one could be built connected to the relief road - but what an excellent site.