Council to discuss development plans for conversion of Leeds town's historic civic centre

Leeds City Council will meet to discuss plans for the Grade II-listed building as well as a proposal for the future expansion of the nearby Otley Courthouse.

Otley Civic Centre, managed by the authority, has been vacant since 2011, and the subject of public consultation with tenders invited from interested parties.

It is recommending the building be sold to a developer to convert it into new apartments, including a number of affordable units in a refurbishment that is set to cost £2m.

The council is also proposing to support the expansion of Otley Courthouse, which has been run by local residents as an arts and resource centre since 2004.

Plans include a new 400-seat auditorium together with new artists’ studios, music practice rooms, business and meeting rooms, gallery space and other public rooms.

Coun Richard Lewis said: “This proposal offers a positive and sensible win-win solution, with an important historical building being brought back into use with a strong and sustainable future, also helping to offer a number of much-needed new affordable apartments.”