Otley redevelopment set for green light

The mixed-use redevelopment of a former printing press manufacturing facility in Otley, which was damaged in a fire in 2015, has been recommended for approval.Norwood Homes (Westgate) is seeking permission to develop a care home and retail units at the Ashfield Works site, off Westgate.Ashfield Works dates back to the mid-19th century and was originally a key machine shop for the printing machinery trade. Much of the site has been derelict for about 15 years and buildings were damaged in fires in 2008 and October 2015.Alongside the demolition of the fire damaged buildings and construction of a 66-bed care home with communal facilities and landscaped gardens, a number of other buildings on the site will be converted for commercial use while new retail units and six homes will also be built.Described as a “well-designed scheme which reuses the key buildings of merit within the site combined with appropriately designed new buildings”, the development is recommended for approval.