COUNCILLORS have hailed a new agreement they believe will safeguard the future of Otley’s public tip.

Concerns had been raised about the likely impact of a new permit-badge system, introduced this week, on the waste recycling centre at Ellar Ghyll.

Leeds City Council has adopted the system in a bid to ensure only Leeds residents use its waste recycling sites.

But ward councillors were worried that in the case of Ellar Ghyll, which sits near Menston and the Bradford Council ‘border’, that could result in reduced usage – so potentially jeopardising the tip’s future.

Those fears were allayed this week when Leeds announced that an agreement had been reached with Bradford.

In an update to councillors, Leeds City Council officers said: “Bradford Council have agreed in principle to a charging arrangement whereby they will pay for those disposal costs relating to the Ellar Ghyll site that would have been incurred if residents had used Bradford-based household waste sites.

“Discussions will continue over the coming weeks to agree mechanisms to audit the level of usage at this site and for the financial reconciliation.

“Importantly, Bradford residents visiting the site from April 1, the planned commencement date for the Leeds Resident Permit scheme, will continue to be allowed access to this site.

“There will be on-site monitoring of residents visiting Ellar Ghyll to inform the appropriate allocation of costs between the two authorities. There are no changes to the agreed permit implementation at other sites across Leeds.”

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “Following elected members raising concerns about the long-term viability of the site without Menston and Bradford users, I’m clearly pleased that Leeds have listened.

“In my view this is good news for those residents and good news for the long-term future of the facility.”

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) added: “I am pleased that common sense seems to have prevailed.

“This will allow residents of Bradford to continue to use Ellar Ghyll, which will be of benefit both to them and the wider community.

“It will help ensure that Ellar Ghyll remains as a community facility and should also reduce the chance of fly tipping. I hope there can be also be discussions with the North Yorkshire Councils to see if this sensible compromise can be extended to residents in those areas.”