AN historic Otley building could be transformed into luxury apartments at a cost of millions of pounds, we can reveal.

This week, developers Litton Properties will submit plans to transform the rundown old tannery building off Gay Lane and transform it into 33 one and two bedroom executive-style apartments, with 41 car parking spaces.

But the development is likely to depend on whether supermarket giant Sainsbury's gets planning permission for its smaller-style store on the adjacent Bondgate site.

Developers Litton are also Sainsbury's partners in their application to build a community store on the site of the current fire station and Park Lane College facilities off Bondgate.

Jane Blower, for Litton, said: "Otley is a nice town, we have a historic building with great potential and we have excellent plans. We're very excited with the proposals.

"We estimate that if the application goes in now and if the planning process isn't drawn out by Leeds City Council, extensive refurbishment will take nine months. The application is a full, detailed one, reflecting the Tannery's position in the Conservation area and is also the result of a full public consultation last summer by Sainsbury's and Litton."

The plans have been given a warm welcome by Councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley & Wharfedale), who said the development of the tannery and Bondgate sites would be a shot in the arm for the town.

"I think it is excellent news, really great for Otley. I have been campaigning for the refurbishment of the tannery site for six or seven years and was very keen to see the tannery itself preserved," he said.

"A residential development is most helpful because it will bring vitality to that part of Otley and the town centre. As long as it goes ahead, I think this whole scheme - including the new Sainsbury's - is excellent for Otley and will help to regenerate that part of town.

"People from other political parties said that we'd never save that

building, but we've proved here that you need to go for the vision. If you don't, Otley will suffer."

Housing developer Crest Homes - responsible for the conversion of Ilkley College - was originally very keen on a residential development at the old tannery, but decided not to follow-up its interest.

Meanwhile, negotiations to re-site Otley's fire station are still ongoing. Sainsbury's has already promised to find another site in Otley and build another fire station on it, as well as relocate the Park Lane College

facilities.

The developers had originally identified half-a-dozen potential sites for the new station, before whittling that down to four.

Litton's Jane Blower said they are still in negotiations with West Yorkshire Fire Authority about which site offers the most suitable alternative.

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