Abandoned Leeds primary school to be sold after sitting empty for eight years
The empty school will be auctioned by Leeds City Council
A dilapidated former Leeds primary school is set to be sold off after standing empty for the past eight years.
The vacant Bentley Primary School site, on Clipston Street in Meanwood, will be auctioned by Leeds City Council.
The council said the sale would raise much-needed funds and relieve the authority of maintenance costs.
A council report said: “The property is surplus to council requirements and no operational reason has been identified to justify its retention
“The property has been vacant since November 2018 and has remained in void management since.”
The report said auction was deemed the best way of disposing of the property.
The site was previously protected by government legislation which prevented it from being sold without written consent from the secretary of state for education.
The report said: “This statutory period will expire in November 2026.”
A reserve price for the site was yet to be decided, the report said.
There was a risk that the property may not sell at auction. The report said: “However, this is unlikely given recent auction results which demonstrate strong interest in similar properties of this type and value.
“A sale will generate a capital receipt for the council and remove the maintenance burden of this deteriorating property.
“Whilst no guarantees can be given, it is anticipated a new owner will refurbish and redevelop the property into productive uses, adding to the local economy.”