Otley Conservation Task Force: Introduction

Since 1997, Otley Conservation Task Force (OCTF) has been raising awareness of buildings of architectural or historical merit, or otherwise of townscape value, which determine the character of Otley. This is recognised through Otley Conservation Area and the listed buildings that line the town’s streets. The buildings have, locked up within them, the resources and energy it took to erect them. By conserving them (which ideally means keeping them in use, but finding new uses for redundant buildings and saving others from unnecessary demolition is often our task), mankind’s obligation towards sustainability can be fulfilled, whilst also maintaining our architectural, cultural and social heritage for ourselves and future generations. We therefore encourage those who have custodianship of our heritage not to let Otley’s buildings or their settings disappear through ill-advised redevelopment or simple neglect.

Our members’ achievements include securing formal protection for some of Otley’s most important buildings such as the former Wharfedale Union Workhouse (the old hospital) and Otley Liberal Club on Wesley Street, through the listing process. We have undertaken surveys of the built environment for Leeds City Council’s Otley Conservation Area Appraisal in 2003 and the earlier Conservation Area Partnership Scheme (CAPS), and we assisted with restoration of the Jubilee Clock in 2005. Members continually promote conservation values through their close associations with Otley Town Partnership, Otley Town Council and Leeds City Council, by helping to shape the policies that will promote conservation in the years to come. Links with like-minded local groups such as those in the civic society movement are developing, and we regularly send representatives to the main conferences for voluntary groups involved with conservation in Yorkshire. Some of our members have assisted local people with conservation and heritage matters in proposals for their historic buildings in Otley.

We are a small group, but we are active. New faces are always welcome. If you are interested in helping us to promote conservation of Otley’s built heritage, then please join us (annual membership costs just £5.00) – you may contact us via the mail form provided on this web-site; click the link below. Our meetings for 2008 are given in the table below; those held at Otley Civic Centre start at 8.00pm. Follow the links on the left to visit the other pages on our web-site. Remember: it is your heritage we are conserving, and you can make a difference.

Ian Andrew,
Hon Secretary,
April 2008.