FORMATION of a new community land trust in Otley is due to take place next week.

A public meeting to explore the idea, featuring three speakers, was held at Clitherow House last Wednesday.

Town Mayor Councillor Ian Jackson (Lib Dem, Ashfield), fellow councillors and ward member Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) were among those who attended.

Organisers Sam Lawson and Karen Rumsey believe a community ownership group could help residents tackle key issues, like affordable housing and bringing closed buildings, like Otley Civic Centre, back into use.

Buoyed by the support shown at last week's meeting, they are now determined to plough ahead with setting up the new body.

They said: "We were very pleased with how the meeting went.

"Although the turnout wasn't massive, it was certainly enough to form the core of a new group.

"It also meant we were able to have an in-depth discussion where it became clear that more affordable, sustainable housing is the outcome most people wanted.

"We're organising a follow-up meeting next week at the Old Cock pub. There, we can explore in more detail what kind of community-led housing development people would like to see.

"We'll also be looking to constitute as a group, most likely as a community benefit society and community land trust, which would allow us to offer community shares and gives us the scope to finance other projects, besides housing, in the future."

Cllr Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) was among those taking part.

He said: "The group's initial focus is likely to be on housing given the great difficulty of local, younger people in finding affordable housing."

Cllr Lay added: "It was an interesting meeting and one that indicated the level of concern with regards genuinely affordable housing in the town.

"The group, although small at this time, are keen to continue to explore ways to ensure Otley does not become another rather gentrified, slightly older town."

Organisers say a community land trust could collectively own and redevelop unused land and buildings for the benefit of residents.

Anyone interested in joining or supporting the new group is invited to attend a meeting in the upstairs room of the Old Cock, in Crossgate, at 7.30pm on July 21.

E-mail to meeting6716@gmail.com for more details.