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New talks over the future of Headingley school site
The chairman of the Leeds Girls Action Group has welcomed the decision by council leaders to hold talks with residents about the future of the school's Headingley site.
Representatives from Leeds Girls' High School will meet invited residents later this month to discuss what will happen when the school moves out next year.
Locals had expressed fears over the proposed sale and redevelopment of the land when the school merges with Leeds Grammar School in Alwoodley in September 2008.
Members of Leeds Girls Action Group (LGAS) said the draft development brief, rejected by Leeds City Council last month, would lead to the loss of mature trees and green space.
Chairman Pam Bone, who previously accused the council of "all but ignoring" community views, told the YEP the latest meeting was "a good thing".
She said: "It would have been more timely to meet much earlier in the proceedings but the meeting is very welcome.
"We want to be able to talk to the school about what their plans are. I hope we can find some common ground to move forward so that when the site is redeveloped and the school leaves the area, there are some benefits for the local community."
Representatives from LGAS and the school will meet on October 12, at the invitation of Leeds City Council's joint leaders, Coun Andrew Carter and Coun Mark Harris.
Members of the council planning department and councillors from the Hyde Park and Headingley wards will also attend the meeting.
Leeds Girls' High School head, Sue Fishburn, said: "We respect and appreciate the willingness of both council leaders to arrange this meeting and have confirmed that a representative of the school will attend.
"Our trustees have decided to delay any further decision about the exact nature of the sale and redevelopment of the site until we have, again, heard and considered community views."
A spokeswoman from Leeds City Council said: "At the executive board on September 11 the planning brief for the Leeds Girls' High School site was rejected.
"In an attempt to see if there is a way forward it was agreed to set up a round table discussion with interested parties.
"It is hoped that a way forward that is acceptable to both sides for the future development of the site will be achieved."
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