This Leeds children's centre will be sold at auction
A children’s centre building could be turned into housing after it is put up for sale to save the council money.
Leeds City Council said the Gipton South Children’s Centre site would be auctioned after being deemed surplus to requirements.
The centre is set to remain open until early next year, when its services are re-located into nearby community buildings including the Dame Fanny Waterman Centre and Osmondthorpe Children’s Centre.
A council report said the existing building on Coldcotes Grove was in good condition and could be re-used by a developer.
It said: “A disposal by auction is recommended as recent experience has shown buildings similar to the children’s centre are popular at auction and attract interest.”
The sale would raise much-needed cash for the council, which must save more than £100m this financial year.
The report said: “It is likely that the site will be converted into residential use, as has been seen in other schemes across Leeds.”
The move was decided as part of a children’s centres shake-up which would see 18 other sites close.
Gipton South was one of 31 services the council decided to keep open, but the building itself was deemed too expensive to maintain.
A council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that children’s centre services for the Gipton area will move to alternative community venues, including the Dame Fanny Waterman Centre and the nearby Osmondthorpe Children’s Centre, early in 2026 following more detailed work on new arrangements.
“The existing Gipton Children’s Centre South will not close until those arrangements have been finalised, which will include engagement with current service users on the new model of delivery. “