When Otley’s Jobcentre was closed back in 2004 its loss, coming on the back of other local closures, was described as a ‘nail in the coffin’ for the town.

Considering the centre’s services only transferred to Guiseley, where a new ‘one stop shop’ Jobcentre Plus office was formed, that may in hindsight seem a bit of an exaggeration. However, there is no doubting the fact that services that are on people’s doorsteps tend to be better used and when they are moved away, even only a few miles, there is always a drop-off. The psychological effect on a community, too, of losing its own dedicated facility should not be underestimated.

So we are glad to welcome Otley Town Council’s announcement that a Jobcentre Plus worker is about to start holding weekly interviews at the new Otley Core Resource Centre.

They may only be, for now, half-day sessions each Wednesday but that is beside the point. They represent a Jobcentre presence back in the town after a nine year gap. And, if the interview mornings are well supported, there is scope for that presence to be extended and expanded.

Future careers advice sessions could also be held at the Core, which has already held Otley Action for Older People advice workshops and a launch event for Dementia Friendly Otley this week, since opening on Monday.

The town council may still have a long way to go to convince sceptics that its new Orchard Gate base is more than just the ‘plush new offices’ they branded it – but it’s got off to a good start.

Homes site may be the better option

It’s no wonder many people are concerned about plans to build 125 houses on the Naylor Jennings site in Rawdon.

The large scale development is bound to affect already busy roads and the overloaded local infrastructure. But whatever the concerns, the dilapidated building is on a brownfield site and it will be developed one way or another.

The existing building – which was the scene of a fire earlier this year – is already becoming an eyesore and something does need to be done with the site.

With pressure on all local authorities to identify land for housing, and with its brownfield site status, it is inconceivable that the land on Green Lane will not be built on. Sites for housing will have to be identified in Aireborough as part of the Leeds core strategy.

And Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Graham Latty makes the point that the 125 houses would come off that total, which could be in the region of more than 1,500.

There is no getting away from the fact that homes will have to be built somewhere – and perhaps the Naylor Jennings site is a better option than many others