Senior councillors have put on hold a decision about the future of a former Leeds primary school which is at the centre of a community campaign.
Bids have been submitted to the council for the future use of former Royal Park Primary in Hyde Park, which has stood empty for more than five years.
* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from your YEP.A report to the council's Executive Board recommended the acceptance of a bid from a company that wants to convert much of the building into flats and commercial use, allowing the remainder to be made available for possible community use.
* Click here to follow the YEP on Twitter.But Coun Andrew Carter, council leader, told the board the report was being withdrawn to allow talks to take place with the Royal Park Community Consortium, a campaign group that wants to take control of the empty school and transform it into a major community hub.
* Click here to become a fan of the YEP on Facebook.He said: "It would be wrong to take a decision when discussions are
still taking place with one of the parties concerned."
* Click here to watch latest YEP news and sport video reports.Members of the board arriving at the Civic Hall to discuss the Royal Park issue were greeted by protesters urging them to vote in favour of the consortium's proposal.
* Click here for latest YEP news and sport picture slideshows.The consortium is seeking a 20-year lease at a peppercorn rent, allowing it to create a centre powered by the latest green technologies and providing entertainment facilities, art studios, a gym, creche, cafe, meeting rooms and business start-up units.
Its plans have received much support and were given a further boost when Leeds writer Alan Bennett gave his backing, sending a letter and a £100 cheque.
In his letter to Sue Buckle, of the consortium, Bennett, an honorary freeman of Leeds, said: "I was sorry to see my old school, Leeds Modern as was, demolished in 2004.
"I hope you have better luck with Royal Park school and you have my full support."
Sue said: "I wrote to him because he is somebody who knows the area and
explained what we were trying to do.
"I was really pleased he took the trouble to to reply offering his support."
