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Leeds Girls' High School trustees in "no hurry" to decide future of Headingley site
Leeds Girls' High School trustees have said they are in no hurry to decide the future of the Headingley site.
Two thirds of the school's buildings and land on Headingley Lane will be left vacant when it merges with Leeds Grammar School to from the The Grammar School at Leeds next September.
The school are looking to sellmost of the main Leeds Girls'High School site, as well as the separate Grade II-listed Elinor Lupton Centre.
Trustees have decided towait and seewhether the current downturn in the housing market continues, and are also considering finding a partner to continue the process of redevelopment.
Dr Mark Bailey, head of The Grammar 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."
The site has been the subject of some controversy after first local activists, then senior council bosses, rejected a planning brief for redevelopment drawn up by the school this summer.
Dr Bailey also commented on plans to sell the Elinor Lupton Centre. Rumours have circulated that the building was set to be sold to a pub chain, with Wetherspoons confirming their interest in the building earlier this year.
He said: "The plain fact is that it has not been sold to a pub chain. People are understandably interested in its future, but the public has no right to private information about prospective purchasers or the state of the sale unless the building and its sale involves a planning or licensing application.
"I can confirm that this building is not subject to any current planning or licensing application, and neither the trustees nor their agents have any plans to submit any such
applications."
Chair of the Leeds Girl's High School Action Group, Pam Bone, urged the city council's new Lib Dem leader, Coun Richard Brett, to organise a meeting between the school and the community.
She said: "I am pleased to hear the school saying they want the best future for the main site; however, local residents staying in the area need to know what this means.
"A long-awaited discussion between the community and the school needs to take place.
"As far as the Elinor Lupton Centre is concerned we are pleased the school may see sense at last and will not sell this sizeable, Grade II listed building to a pub chain."
Headingley councillor David Morton (Lib Dem) said: "If sincere then the news the school is pausing for thought is welcome.
"If the school has had a change of heart then we'll judge them by their actions.
"However, I explicitly reject the view the community has no business knowing what happening to the Elinor Lupton Centre. Having confirmed they will sell to the highest bidder, even if it's a pub chain, the community can and should make its voice heard."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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