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Headingley and Hyde Park residents join forces to keep up pressure on school redevelopment plan
Headingley and Hyde Park residents kept the pressure up over the redevelopment of Leeds Girls High School at a meeting of full council last week.
Sue Buckle led a deputation of Hyde Park residents in asking the council to buy the school's playing fields and sports facilities.
As well as addressing the council she presented a petition with over 1,000 signatures in support of the plan.
* Click here for more stories on the Leeds Girls High Headingley site row.
Leeds Girls' High School will move to Leeds Grammar's Alwoodley Gates site later this year with proposals for residential development on the Headingley Lane site.
In her speech to councillors Sue Buckle said: "Hyde Park, Woodhouse and Burley are comprised mainly of streets of terraced houses, mainly without gardens, in some cases even yards for children to play in.
"None of the three primary schools, Quarry Mount, Brudenell or Rosebank, has a grassy area let alone a field for play and sports activities. Spring Bank and Shire Oak have some green space but no actual sports field.
"Yet within walking distance of all these schools, in the heart of our area, is a purpose built swimming pool, sports hall, two grass playing fields and netball and tennis courts.
"Now that the school is moving from our area, we feel that there is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give our community the much needed sports and recreational facilities.
"If we are serious about narrowing the gap between rich and poor in our community this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to redress past inequalities in our community."
In a separate deputation to the councilHeadingleyNetwork said it was vital the high school's Elinor Lupton Centre - which is also set to be sold - was used to benefit the community.
The group said they were concerned the Grade II listed building could be sold for licensed premises.
In December the school said it was in no hurry to make a decision of the future of the two sites.
Dr Mark Bailey, head of TheGrammar School at Leeds, said: "We are committed to securing the best future for the site, the sale of which will help to fund the provision of some of the finest school facilities in the country.
"While the property market is quiet, we will continue to consider our options and to adjust them in the light of some of the constructive feedback.
"This includes the prospect of seeking a partner to take the development process forward. There are no immediate plans to submit a planning application."
Councillors at the meeting agreed to refer both issues to the council's executive board.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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