OTLEY Town AFC has submitted a holding objection to a major development for the town because of concerns over risks to its players and ground.

The football club wants safeguards in place in the East of Otley scheme to protect its players and pitches. Among its concerns are - the proximity of the proposed roundabout to its main pitch, the risk of ball strike from its pitches to the road, access to the ground by foot, risk of drainage of surface water and the future of its ground and pitches. Officials at the club want to see a footbridge or underpass to keep players safe.

The submission says: "The vast majority of our playing members are children under the age of 18 and a lot of our spectators and parents are elderly."

It adds: "The proposals do not include provision for access to our ground by foot or by bicycle."

The club says: "Overall, we are not against the proposed road or housing development and can see potential long-term benefits, however, we feel that it is important that as a growing and important part of the Otley community, we need to have some safeguards in place to ensure that the club, players and pitches are protected both during and after the development of the road and the wider housing plans."