Royal Park School Site Must Be Saved For The Community (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Royal Park School Site Must Be Saved For The Community

August 20, 2003 12:00 AM

Labour's speed to decide the future of the site of Royal Park School raises community fears of another sell off to the Landlords……..

Headingley's Liberal Democrat Councillors have been told that a high level officer group of Leeds City Council has already been set up to determine the future of the Royal Park School site. "It's worth remembering that no final decision has been taken yet to close the school. Although some view it as a formality there are several months before that decision is taken and there is still a lively campaign to keep the school open; which we fully support." said Cllr Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Headingley).

Commenting on the proposals for the site Cllr David Morton (Lib Dem, Headingley) said :- "The documents we have been sent suggest a decision will be taken as early as October about the future community use of the building. I have four main concerns".

"Firstly, why the rush? It's possible at this rate we'll have taken decision on the future of the building before the actual decision to close the school has been taken.

"Secondly, the remit of the group is too narrow. using the building as community centre is only one option. The site could be used for affordable housing, a one stop shop for council services or for job creation opportunities, these all need to be considered

"Thirdly, the obvious fear in Leeds 6 is that the building will go to a landlord. In the last 2 years the council has sold off 3 buildings to landlords with another one about to go. They are even trying to sell off part of the allotments to a landlord at the moment.

"Fourthly the price of keeping the building open as a community centre should be compared to the price of running the school. It would be the ultimate insult if the council spent more than the school would cost to keep open - just on maintaining the building.

Cllr Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) added :- "We've written to the relevant Director and asked for an urgent meeting to discuss the whole issue and ask that the group considers all the options. If Labour tries to sell off Hyde Park's future we will fight them every inch of the way."