Plans to transform an overgrown and derelict wood into a wilderness walk have been revealed.

A top landscape architect has been called in by Skipton Civic Society, in the process of acquiring the land from a brewery, to help create the beauty spot for the town and its visitors.

Nancy Stedman worked for the Countryside Commission for many years before going on to work for the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

She now works freelance and was thought the best person for the job at Waller Hill Beck and the surrounding Wilderness Wood.

The area used to provide a haven for birds and other wildlife which thrived alongside abundant fish in the stream.

Now rusty fridges, dumped garden refuse and dozens of wooden duckboards are virtually damming up parts of the flowing water, stifling any aquatic life and making the site look like a dumping ground. Nancy has now compiled a report which lists several features that would go into creating the walk, but the whole project would cost around £20,000.

The first job would be to clear away the wild weeds stifling other plant life on the banks of the beck, including one rare Japanese knotweed.

She said a footbridge would have to be built to span the beck. Paths would need to be constructed to link the Otley Road and Shortband Road entrances with the bridge and a series of stepping stones. And a flight of steps would be built to enable people to descend to the walk from Otley Road.

Secretary Gwynne Walters said they have further consultation work to carry out with nearby residents before fundraising work can start in earnest.

She said: "The walk would prove to be such an attractive facility for Skipton.''

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