OTLEY Green Party has selected its prospective candidates for the elections due on May 6.

Cath Harrison will stand for for Danefield Ward and Charlotte Hunt will stand for Ashfield Ward in the town council by-elections. Both candidates also stood in the 2019 election polling. Mick Bradley will again stand for Otley and Yeadon Leeds City Council seat.

Cath Harrison is looking to become a second Green town councillor in Danefield along with existing councillor Mick Bradley.

She believes actions speak louder than words. She has been active for many years in Friends of Gallows Hill and is involved with Otley Nature Network, Otley Swift Watch and Otley 2030.

She brings this experience to fighting to save the Irish Fields/Ings Tip area which campaigners says is being threatened by the bulldozers of a massive East of Otley housing development.

She says “I am passionate about conserving biodiversity and protecting the green spaces that residents presently enjoy close to my home on the Cambridge Estate. I also want to discuss with residents how to improve the area, particularly better access to the town centre and parking/speeding issues.”

Charlotte Hunt, who lives in Ashfield Ward with her family, feels strongly that investment in the Weston Lane play park and establishing community allotments is overdue.

She said: “If we can find room for housing development then we can find the resources to improve our green spaces.” Charlotte wants to ensure residents access opportunities provided by the town council such as the upcoming July 4 family fun cycle day.

She supports and will promote events offered by community groups like Otley 2030 and Otley Nature Network for the enjoyment of all.

Mick Bradley will again be standing for the Otley and Yeadon Leeds City Council seat.

He said:“This will be the third occasion I have put myself forward. I believe a Green Voice is even more important than ever with threats to our green spaces from an East of Otley development. It is also critical to our town that the recovery from Covid restores and improves our town centre and enhances already stretched amenities such as GP surgeries and dentists.”

In February Leeds City Council urged people to use postal voting for the local elections in May as Covid measures are expected to cause disruption at polling stations.

Distancing measures are likely to be in place meaning there could be queues and voters will be asked to wear a mask or face-covering if able to do so and use hand sanitiser as well as other safety measures.