A major public consultation is about to start to discuss the long-term future of High Royds Hospital in Menston.

And people thoughout Wharfedale and Aireborough are being urged to have their say and help determine any future development of the site and its listed 19th Century buildings.

Leeds City Council has revealed a planning framework for the complex which is due to close next year.

The detailed 57-page document sets out guidelines for would-be developers and will now be subject to an eight-week consultation, including a series of public meetings.

Councillor Jim McKenna, chairman of the city council's plans west sub-committee, said: "We will be holding public meetings and making copies of the draft framework available in local libraries.

"People's views and comments will be discussed at a committee meeting later this year."

Members of the Leeds plans west sub-committee this week gave the framework their vote of approval.

It aims to give planners the advantage in future negotiations to ensure any development benefits the community while maintaining the key aspects of the 19th century site.

Key features include the conservation of important elements of the listed building, protection of the Green Belt and Hawksworth Moor special landscape area, and how any development would be phased in.

Coun McKenna (Lab, Armley) said: "I welcome the planning framework which the council has produced for this site which will help guide prospective developers towards an appropriate and sustainable use."

The document does not favour any one form of development but suggests a mixture of residential, office and leisure use. It does however, demand that changes do not compete with services and facilities available in nearby Menston and Guiseley.

The High Royds site is currently earmarked as one of three possible locations of a new Wharfedale General Hospital but could be integrated with houses, offices or leisure facilities.

Aireborough MP Paul Truswell urged that future plans with or without a hospital work with the community rather than against it.

He said: "There is absolutely no way any future activities will not have an impact on the environment and community.''

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