Bramley: Leeds Council to auction off former Hough Lane school building to bridge £273m funding gap
A Grade-II listed former school will be auctioned off to raise funds for the cash-strapped council.
The Hough Lane Centre in Bramley, currently used as council offices, could be turned into housing following the sale.
A Leeds City Council report said the 1,494 sqm building had been declared surplus to requirements and was being vacated by staff.
It was placed in the authority’s Capital Receipts Schedule following an executive board decision in February 2023.
The report said: “It is assumed that the new owner will develop the property potentially for residential use.
“This will mean that the local area will see an increase in housing provision and it will have a direct impact on inclusive growth as the investment could create new job opportunities in the local area for people and businesses.”
Because the site has a Grade-II listing, planning permission for future use would depend on the building and adjoining railings being preserved.
The report said no operational reason could be found for the council, which faces a £273m budget gap over the next five years, to keep the property.
It said: “The Hough Lane Centre is Grade II listed and so will be costly to keep in a state of good repair.
“It is also a very large site which requires a lot of energy consumption to keep in occupation. Disposal of this will also alleviate these costs.”
The building was likely to be a popular listing at auction, the report said.
A reserve price would be advertised after being agreed with an appointed auctioneer.