Otley has emerged as the chosen site for a new Wharfedale Hospital.

After a year long public consultation, health chiefs in Leeds have identified the Garnett's Mill site off Pool Road as the best place to build a new hospital to serve the whole of Wharfedale.

A team of health representatives has spent the last few months reviewing four possible places - at the hospital's current site in Newall Carr Road, to either build new or refurbish buildings at High Royds Hospital in Menston or on land near to Garnetts Mill.

And now, Leeds Health Authority is giving people until June 25 to comment on the decision to make sure it has not missed anything out.

Mike Ramsden, chief executive of Leeds Health Authority, said "We are seeking views on whether any significant facts have been overlooked or omitted and whether any additional facts should be taken into account."

Mr Ramsden said he hoped as many people who took part in the original consultation would want to continue to have their say.

"I hope they will now take the opportunity to consider this latest piece of work and its recommendation and write to us with any comments by June 25," added Mr Ramsden.

Harold Best (Lab, North West) said it was wonderful news for Otley and a direct result of the town council campaign led by its former leader Councillor Sue Egan."

And in a joint statement, Otley's mayor Councillor John Eveleigh and Coun Phil Coyne paid tribute to Mr Best and to Mrs Egan.

"It is gratifying to see all the hard work succeeding in this recommendation, but we wish to to emphasise the key role played by our MP Harold Best. It was Harold who arranged our meeting with Frank Dobson, Harold who spent hours in meetings with ministers, the hospital trust, the local and regional health authorities and Garnett's management, and Harold who enthusiastically backed our campaign from the start."

Councillor Colin Campbell said: "It is the first time in 20 years that I have been involved in the campaign about the hospital that I feel optimistic.

"It is a good result for everybody in Otley who has kept faith with the hospital and has continued to campaign for its retention."

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