WORK to install a hydro-electric turbine and plant on Otley Weir is about to resume.

The scheme – linked to David Wilson Homes' Garnett Wharfe development – has been hampered by several floods since getting underway last November.

A temporary dam built to enable work on the weir was badly damaged due to high river levels in December, and repairs were then delayed due to the Boxing Day floods.

The problems have caused concerns among residents that the project, being undertaken by Lowood Products Ltd using contractors Eric Wright Civil Engineering, might falter, and that it had been started at the wrong time of year.

Councillors Colin Campbell and Ryk Downes (both Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon), however, were assured things were getting back on track during a recent meeting with the developers, planners and Environment Agency representatives.

Cllr Campbell said: "There have been continued delays but these have not proved too serious.

"Work should start in the very near future to provide a dry area for the construction of the hydro building and fish pass. When this is completed, the developers will start to repair and replace the weir, which will be resurfaced using either the old stone setts or new ones, if needs be.

"Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer."

Cllr Downes added: "There have been a number of concerns expressed about the project from residents and we asked for a meeting so all parties could explain what will be happening, particularly following the floods of the past few weeks."

Electricity generated from the turbine, which could be up to 1,300 Mega Watt hours per year, will be fed into the National Grid.

David Wilson Homes, which is building 235 homes at the former Garnett Paper Mill site, says that should be enough to eventually offset the 'carbon footprint' of the development.

Some in the town, including Otley town councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) had hoped the electricity might be used to directly provide the energy needs of Garnett Wharfe. But the company says the predicted seasonal fluctuations in the amount generated – mainly during the dry summer months – meant that had not been possible.

The hydro-electric facility will require an investment of about £2 million by Lowood, along with annual maintenance costs.

The plant will use two Archimedes screws and have a generator housed in a new building above the weir.