OPTIMISM that a new Wharfedale Hospital will be built in Otley now seems at an all-time high.

This week Otley town councillors voted to approve a draft response to the Leeds Health Authority Consultation on a proposal for a new Wharfedale Hospital.

The document was welcomed by town councillors who view it as a further step towards securing the future of Wharfedale Hospital in Otley, which they see as its natural home.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Sue Egan (Lab, Manor Ward), spoke at a special policy and resources meeting about the positive qualities of the plan by Garnett's Mill to build a new hospital in Otley.

She said: "Wherever the hospital is redeveloped, even if it is at its existing site, it will be privately financed.

"If we are to see redevelopment of the hospital in the town, I think the best criteria for a private finance Initiative is that it should be forthcoming from a partner who is actually rooted in the community, understands the community and has the best interests of the community at heart. I think the prospective partner we have locally has that."

Coun Egan said that there were solid reasons for wanting to keep the hospital in Otley and a petition to that effect had the support of people in neighbouring communities as well.

She said: "I think one of the things we have been been very careful to do is to consult as widely as we could through the Mid-Wharfedale Councils Group and through other discussions, really trying to sound out opinions in neighbouring areas because we see the natural catchment area of the hospital obviously goes beyond Otley itself.

"The petition we have run was analysed when we were nearing 10,000 signatures and I think 48 per cent of signatures came from people in those other areas, such as Guiseley, Yeadon, Bramhope and Pool."

The fact that the document before the meeting was not being opposed by anyone at the meeting pleased Coun Ray Dunn (Lab, Ashfield Ward).

He said: "What it clearly says is there is the united support of Otley Town Council behind this document."

Coun Phil Coyne (Lab, Ashfield Ward) greeted the progress heralded by the document and said: "It is excellent. It is tightly argued and covers all the points. This document is physical testament to the strength of the community in support of its health services and I would like to applaud it."

Coun David Egan (Lab, West Chevin Ward) said: 'We now have a commitment from Leeds General Infirmary and St James Hospital-managed trust for an investment somewhere in excess of £10m. Do we support the proposal? Yes, unequivocally.

"We have an identified partner in Garnett's Mills. I have heard of no back-up partner in support of the High Royds initiative."

Coun John Eveleigh (Lab, Manor Ward) described the quality of the document as being a measure of how much the town council had changed in four years.

He said: "I have lived in Otley for ten years and ever since I have been here, it has been a case of fighting for the future of the hospital and trying to safeguard the future of the hospital.

"I think quite a lot has changed in that we are now in a position where we can near as damn it say we are going to have a new hospital. I think a lot of people thought if it was to move to High Royds, it would somehow safeguard its future, but I think we have moved beyond that."

Coun Eveleigh said that Otley was best place for a Wharfedale Hospital on account of its tremendous public support.

He said: "We are now looking at what is the best place for the hospital to be built and the best place is quite clearly Otley. One strong reason I think it needs to be in Otley is the public support for it in Otley.

"If this hospital had been anywhere else, it would have now closed. It is because people have fought over the years for its services.

"Over the years, all the political parties have come in at some point to try to safeguard the hospital and we are now in a position where that has now been won."

With a small number of amendments, the draft document was approved by the Town Council.

Coun Sue Egan commented on the vitality that Wharfedale Hospital provided for Otley, and the importance to the local economy.

She also recommended that councillors continue to collect as many signatures as possible to keep the Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.

She said: "It is not over yet, but I think we can see a conclusion in sight, hopefully the right one."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.