Yorkshire Water came under fresh criticism today as it unveiled new plans to alter its abstraction methods from the River Wharfe.

The company has announced its intention to give up a three-year licence granted in 1996 following the previous year's drought, which allowed it to take an extra 1.6 billion gallons of water a year from the river, which supplies Bradford, Otley and Ilkley.

Instead, when the licence runs out in Spring, 1999, it will revert back to an historic licence which it has asked the Environment Agency to renew on a 15-year basis.

The company has also announced plans to stop taking water at its Hollins abstraction point in Burley-in-Wharfedale and to move its abstractions further downstream to Arthington, a move it says will have a positive environmental impact, resulting in more water being left in the river along a longer stretch.

But Bradford Council has raised concerns that the company is still relying too heavily on the Wharfe and have today called on John Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to look into the application.

Council leader Coun Ian Greenwood said: "We have looked at these proposals very carefully and although we are concerned that the district should have an adequate water supply we are not satisfied that the best option is to take further supplies from the River Wharfe.

"To protect the long term future of our rivers, water companies should have to apply for new licences every few years. This would allow experts to monitor effects on the environment and for alternative sources of supplies to be considered."

Environment groups have also expressed their worries about the plans. Penny Ward, a spokesman for Water Watch, said: "The River Wharfe is such a valuable river and must not be damaged any further.

"The river's ecology has already been damaged because of a reduced flow - what Yorkshire Water should be doing is considering things like bank side storage."

Public consultation will now take place and the Environment Agency is asking people to express their views by December 29.

Yorkshire Water says the new proposals were drawn up following public consultation with more than 80 interested parties.

A company spokesman said: "We tried to reflect as many people's views as possible and it's entirely up to Bradford Council to decide whether they object to the Environment Agency or not.

"This licence change will lead to a reduction in the amount of water abstracted from the River Wharfe and ensure that the majority of abstractions are in future carried out as far downstream as possible, leaving more water in the river for longer.

"Although we are proposing to take less water from the river, we plan to make up the difference by reducing leakage."

Objections should be made in writing to the Water Resources team leader, Environment Agency, Coverdale House, Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moor, York, YO30 4GZ.

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