THE East of Otley Action Group have created a website dedicated to helping residents respond to plans for a major housing development on the outskirts of Otley. They have also launched their own merchandise, designed by a local artist.

The website, eastofotleyaction.co.uk, has been specially designed to support residents when the planning application for the East of Otley development is published by Leeds City Council. Visitors to the site will find essential information and resources, video presentations from local experts, maps and documents, jargon busters, links to Otley’s Neighbourhood Plan, as well as competitions and volunteering opportunities and much more. When the planning application has been made public, the group will also share handy guides on how residents can respond and make their views count.

At Otley Farmers’ Market last Sunday, volunteers from East of Otley Action Group also sold merchandise to raise cash for their fundraiser. The group are selling 100 per cent cotton tote bags and rucksacks made in a Fairtrade-certified factory and featuring an exclusive barn owl design by local artist, Kate Broughton. The bags proved hugely popular and the Group took £350 in sales.

A spokesperson said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came and supported us at the Farmers Market – we have more bags to sell, so don’t worry if you missed out! We’re also extremely grateful to The Yorkshire Wordwright for building us a beautiful, easy-to-navigate and really useful site. We’re delighted with how successful our East of Otley campaign has been so far, but we need more volunteers to help us to continue the good work – if you’d like to get involved, email us at hello@eastofotleyaction.co.uk”

The bags and rucksacks are still available to buy, with all profits going towards the East of Otley Action Group fundraiser. Email: hello@eastofotleyaction.co.uk

Donate to fundraiser visit: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/east-of-otley-development-community-legal-advice