Otley's Garnett's Mill site has emerged as the preferred site for a new Wharfedale Hospital, it was revealed today.

Health chiefs have chosen the land off Pool Road ahead of two other possible sites - High Royds at Menston and the current hospital site at Newall Carr Road.

After a year's public consultation, they have decided the Otley site best fits the requirements for the new hospital in terms of transport links and local facilities.

Mike Ramsden, chief executive of the Leeds Health Authority, said further public consultation would now take place to make sure no important factors had been overlooked.

The news was welcomed by Harold Best (Lab, Leeds North West) and Otley Town Council.

Mr Best said: "This is great news for Otley. It provides health care in the community where it is wanted and it safeguards 550 jobs on the hospital site and many more jobs in the shops and service industries in the town."

In a joint statement, Otley's Mayor Coun John Eveleigh and Coun Phil Coyne said they wished to "emphasise" the key role played by Mr Best in achieving this recommendation because he had campaigned tirelessly and had arranged a meeting with a Government minister.

Coun Colin Campbell (Lib Dem) said it was the first time in 20 years that he had felt confident about the hospital's future.

Leeds Health Authority was presented with a 10,000 name petition from Otley residents last October. They were worried about the possibility of the hospital being built outside Otley which would have been a blow for the town and its economy.

The six-strong group which included two representatives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, two from the area's primary health care groups, and two from Leeds Health Authority, considered four options for the hospital's relocation.

Mike Ramsden, Chief Executive of Leeds Health Authority, said: "Having completed the process of site option appraisal, which took into account the key issues identified in the consultation, we are now sharing information about the sites. We are seeking views on whether any significant facts have been overlooked or omitted, and whether any additional facts should be taken into account.

"During the consultation exercise about proposals to re-provide Wharfedale Hospital there was a large and diverse response from people living locally. I hope they will now take the recommendation and write to us with any comments by June 25.

"Comments received will be taken into account by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds Health Authority in Making a final recommendation for the preferred site."

Summaries of the report are being made available to the public today and Leeds Health Authority will consider its recommendation at its board meeting on July 20.

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