A RELIEF road deal is being proposed to pave the way for a 550 home development in Otley.

Hundreds of houses have been earmarked for land on the town's eastern edge for years - but on the understanding that a 'signed off' relief road would be essential.

Serious concerns over the likely costs of that 1.4km long new route, however, were raised with Leeds City Council earlier this year by developers.

In response, the council is proposing to effectively part-fund the road by selling its land on the site to one of the main developers, Persimmon Homes, and hand the proceeds back as a ring-fenced grant.

The Executive Board will consider the proposal when it meets at Leeds Civic Hall on Wednesday, September 20.

The report states that: "As a landowner the council has a key role to play in unlocking this development site."

It goes on to note that the relief road, linking the A659 Pool Road to the north of the site to the A660 Leeds Road, to the south west, would 'would bring wider benefits to Otley as a whole'.

Ward councillors have given a cautious welcome to the news.

Councillor Sandy Lay said: "Building the relief road will be of benefit to the whole town, its businesses and residents - but we were concerned that the work might not start and then be abandoned or delayed, whilst houses went up like billy-o.

"However we have been able to secure an agreement that if the deal goes ahead then the entire relief road will be built first, and completed early in the stage one development."

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: "We have always been reluctant to lose green fields to the east of Otley to housing, but sadly the principle of development was agreed by the city council twenty years ago.

"Our view is that if there is to be development it should provide the maximum benefit for Otley residents.

"We have always stuck to this principle and have received assurances that the development will provide all the benefits we would expect.

"In particular we have pushed for a guarantee on affordable housing to help those in Otley who are struggling to find a home."

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), meanwhile, has welcomed the fact that a primary school and green space will be included in the 'east of Otley' scheme.

Otley Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) added: "Though the road will bring benefits we must remember it will also bring significant development, so we must ensure this benefits all residents and also comes with separate and safe provision for cyclists.

"I will be asking that any development proposals follow the guidelines in the recently published draft Neighbourhood Plan, consultation on which i underway."