New hospital crisis

turmoil this week - after talks broke down between health chiefs and landowner Garnett, writes Lesley Tate.

Fresh negotiations are under way to secure an alternative site for a new Wharfedale Hospital and the health trust has said it is still committed to Otley. But doubts have been expressed whether a replacement hospital will ever be built.

Otley Town Council has called for an urgent meeting with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and has also urged Garnett's and the trust to return to the negotiating table.

But a trust spokesman told the Wharfedale Observer yesterday that negotiations for the favoured site off Pool Road were at an end. He added the alternative site now being considered was not one of the formerly shortlisted sites - High Royds Hospital at Menston or where the

hospital is at the moment in Newall Carr Road.

But apart from confirming the site was in Otley, currently empty and of a similar size to the Pool Road site, he would not reveal its exact location.

On Monday at Otley Town Council's environmental and economic development sub committee meeting, councillors knew nothing about the collapse of talks until they were told by the Wharfedale Observer.

Councillor Colin Campbell said: "I very much regret this. It puts into jeopardy the whole issue of a replacement hospital in Otley. We should ask the trust to come and talk to us."

And Coun Phil Coyne added: "I am quite frankly shocked and I assume this is something about money. I would urge the two parties to go back to the negotiating table because that is the site that fits into the structure best."

Coun Graham Kirkland added: "This saga has been going on for 31 years and everybody is pig sick about the delay after delay. It is about time someone came to a decision, it is disgusting that no one can come up with a decision."

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "The trust has been negotiating for a considerable length of time with the owners of Garnett's Mill in Otley with a view to securing part of the site as a location for a new Wharfedale Hospital. These negotiations have now reached the point where the offer made by the trust has not been accepted.

"This is obviously a disappointing outcome, but we would like to reassure people in the locality that we remain fully committed to our plans for a new hospital.

"Work is continuing to finalise the Outline Business Case, which we still hope to submit to the regional office of the NHS Executive very shortly.

"Our urgent priority is now to find an alternative site. Steps have already been taken and we can confirm that we are in discussions about a site in Otley other than Garnett's mill. As soon as we have any firm information about this site we will make a further annoucement."

No one was available for comment at Garnett.

l Hospital bosses criticised. See page 3.