Agenda Item 7 Otley Town Council Policy & Resources Committee Date: 25th March, 2019 Subject: Wharfedale Greenway Report by: Executive Officer 1. Purpose of report 1.1 To request release of funds from reserves to cover costs associated with the production of supporting documents required for a planning application. 2. Background 2.1 The Wharfedale Greenway is an ambitious project to provide a traffic-free cycling, walking and equestrian route within the Wharfedale Valley. The first three phases of the route intend to utilise the disused railway line between Pool in Wharfedale, Otley and Burley in Wharfedale, with a spur link to Menston. A feasibility study of a further phase to the west (Burley to Ilkley and Addingham) is currently in draft. An extension to Bolton Abbey has also been discussed and route to the east of Pool in Wharfedale is also being considered. 2.2 An initial feasibility study for the route was undertaken on behalf of Otley Town Council by Sustrans in 2010. Subsequently, in 2013 the Wharfedale Greenway Steering Group was formed to carry the proposed route forward. This group comprises: Otley Town Council; Burley-in-Wharfedale Parish Council; Menston Parish Council; Pool-in- Wharfedale Parish Council; Bradford Metropolitan District Council; Leeds City Council; and, Sustrans. This resulted in a refresh of the feasibility report in 2014 and the undertaking of a public consultation exercise to gauge the views of the public on the re- opening of the former railway line for leisure uses. This public consultation demonstrated considerable support for the initiative. 2.3 Sustrans were subsequently commissioned in 2016 to undertake a Design and Delivery Report for the first phase of the project between Otley and Burley-in-Wharfedale. This aimed to find solutions to difficulties and issues raised within the original feasibility study, and to bring the project as close to deliverability as practically possible, so that a robust case could be made should any funding opportunities arise. 2.4 This work was completed in March 2017 and funding is being actively pursued to implement its construction through development funding and Government bodies at all levels. An Expression of Interest has been submitted to access Rural Development Programme England funding and planning applications submitted to Leeds City Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council. 2.5 The Expression of Interest has been accepted by the Rural Development Programme England, however, a full application can only be submitted subject to Planning Approval. 3. Planning Application 3.1. The planning application has been submitted by Otley Town Council to Leeds City Council on 27th February at a cost of £251.00. 3.2 The planning application has been held up by Bradford Metropolitan District Council subject to the completion of some additional studies: • Landscape Visual Impact Assessment – now completed – Total Cost (£3,000) • Flood Risk Assessment - completion estimated 13/03/19 – Total Cost (£1,045) • Preliminary Ecological Appraisal – due to be completed w/c 1st April – Total Cost (£3,140) 3.3 It is proposed that the cost of the three studies be shared between Otley Town Council and Burley-in-Wharfedale Parish Council. 3.4 This equates to a total of £3,592.50 for the studies and the Planning Application at £251 – overall cost £3,843.50 3.5 It is expected that should the project receive planning permission there will be a series of planning conditions – these will need to be resolved prior to any funding agreement and are likely to incur further costs in 2019-2020 4. Legal and financial implications 4.1 It is proposed to release a total of £4,000 from reserves to cover the costs associated with the planning applications which includes a small amount for contingencies. 5. Sustainability This report is compliant with the Aalborg Commitments. 6. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee; i) note the contents of the report ii) authorise the release of £4,000 from reserves .