A PIONEERING scheme to transform Otley's former Wharfedale General Hospital into a 75-home eco village' has been unveiled.

English Partnerships wants to create a sustainable development on the Newall Carr Road site that will be powered by a bio-mass boiler and include new homes with living grass roofs.

The Government's national regeneration agency's plans would also see converted hospital buildings and the new properties using sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) and sunspaces, to naturally cool and heat the homes 30 per cent of which would be affordable.

English Partnerships says it is taking the unprecedented step' of steering the scheme through the planning process because of the site's historical importance, and its desire to create a blueprint for future sustainable projects.

Otley residents will be able to get a detailed look at the proposals, and comment on them, at a public exhibition next week.

But Town and ward Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) was keen to welcome the plans. He said: "It is a positive scheme, they're retaining all the old hospital buildings of worth, and it's about time. English Partnerships gave us a briefing about this and they seemed to really know what they were doing. They're talking about burning bio-fuels in the old hospital chimney, which should work.

"The site has been empty for several years and it was starting to get vandalised. The best way to deal with that is to get people living on it.

"I'm pleased with the affordable housing allocation, which is about double what they had originally in mind before we asked for it to be pushed up.

"So overall I think this is very positive, although we shall of course have to wait to see all the details."

The Grade II listed hospital closed in 2004 and was then acquired by English Partnerships. Under its plans the former hospital's main building, dining room, kitchen, old infirmary and entrance would all be kept and converted.

The old hospital chimney will also be put to good use, as it and the boiler house will be used as a bio-mass boiler to provide green' power for the site.

English Partnerships is pledging to consult fully before proceeding with the scheme, which it says will be transferred to a developer of the highest quality' once it has secured detailed planning permission.

Project manager Sayeed Hafejee said: "The former Wharfedale General Hospital is a fantastic site of great historical importance, situated in a beautiful location. That's why we took the decision to oversee the development.

"The use of eco-friendly building methods and the latest green' designs will turn the refurbished hospital buildings into a high-quality, affordable residential development.

"We hope that members of the local community can attend the public exhibition, which takes place from June 19 to 21 at Otley Civic Centre, to voice their views and opinions on the development plans."

The exhibition will be held in the civic centre's Chambers and Meeting Room (Room 4) from noon to 4pm on Thursday, June 19, 10am to 2pm on Friday, June 20 and from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, June 21.

*Otley's new, £15 million Wharfedale Hospital (also on Newall Carr Road) was opened in November, 2004.