MP says bid to save Otley pub is being ignored (From Wharfedale Observer)

MP says bid to save Otley pub is being ignored

10:10am Saturday 11th October 2008

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Campaigners fighting to resurrect a closed Otley pub claim new plans for the site would destroy part of the town’s heritage.

Last week Westward Care unveiled proposals to build a 50-bed care home for the elderly by converting and extending the Summercross Inn, on Cross Green.

The plans – which replace an earlier, rejected 14-house scheme by landowners Chartford Homes – were due to be on display at a public exhibition in the Civic Centre between 5.30 and 9pm today. Westward Care claims its plan would deliver a state-of-the-art care home for older people and meet a demand in the town.

The Save Our Summercross (SOS) campaign has been quick to point out that Chartford Homes and Westward Care, while separate companies, have a director in common – Norman Stubbs. And they are also accusing Chartford of ignoring interest from a pub company that is keen to re-open the pub, which closed last October.

SOS member and Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland said: “It is exceptionally disappointing that Chartford Homes, who still own the site, continue to ignore the community in Otley.

“At least one pub company has approached them about buying and reopening the pub but they refused to talk to them and instead push on with ways to recoup their investment, which is just sour grapes at having their inappropriate plans thrown out.

“Anyone going to the exhibition should consider three things. First, is it right that any company tries to impose plans on a community when the community’s view is clear?

“Second, do we want to preserve Otley’s history and heritage which would be destroyed by these plans and third, in light of the fact that Westward Care and Chartford Homes are linked, can the community really believe that this is not just about Chartford Homes and their directors trying to maximise their profit from the site, regardless of what the community east of Otley want?”

Westward Care’s managing director, Peter Hodkinson, however, insists the new care home would serve the community.

He said: “We have developed a reputation for delivering the highest standards of care for older people in the Leeds area.

“There is a real need for specialist provision of this type in Otley and we think that our plans for this site, which would include the retention and sympathetic extension of the existing building, will substantially contribute towards meeting that need. I very much hope that local residents will be able to come and view our plans and meet members of the project team at the exhibition.”

Campaign leader Shirley Lewis said: “Chartford are still not taking into account what the community wants, which is their pub back, not a care home or houses.

“And if they are going to be building a care home there it’s going to have to be pretty big for them to recoup their cash, so it won’t be much different to having 14 houses.”

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