THE planning process rumbles on and multi-million pound plans for a Sainsbury's community store in Otley are still caught in development limbo, seven months after they were first submitted.

Planning officers have severe reservations about the scheme, including concerns about its design, noise

disturbance to neighbouring properties, highways issues, pedestrian access and the siting of the proposed store.

These are major issues which are going to be difficult to overcome if the plans are ever to become reality.

It is clear that a lot more work between planners and

developers will have to be done before the plans are even close to being acceptable.

With developers still locked in negotiations with West Yorkshire Fire Service about resiting the Bondgate fire

station as well similar issues with Park Lane College's Otley Centre, the whole plan for that site, including the flats plan at the adjoining tannery, look decidedly deadlocked.

What must have looked a formality to Sainsbury's seven months is fast getting bogged down with problems.

There may be a political will for a Sainsbury's on this site, but that will count for little if basic planning issues cannot be sorted out.

ALLOTMENT holders have long-maintained that they are hard-done by - and this has been perfectly highlighted by the plight of the Willow Green allotments in Horsforth.

They need £8,000 to remove an old underground air raid shelter regularly used as a play area by kids which they fear is dangerous.

But what chance when the allotments budget for the whole of Leeds is only £2,000, and has been for the last 20 years?

Some will say this is another case of Leeds City Council ignoring a grass roots community pastime in favour of flashy events like Opera and Ballet in the Park and similar 'high profile' events to boost the city's image.

It also bears pointing out that this is also the 'cash-strapped' council which, with no public consultation, spent tens of thousands of pounds on the infamous 'Welcome to Leeds' signs, and is preparing to waste even more.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.