A former Leeds primary school that has stood empty for almost eight years is set to be sold at auction. This is because city council looks to end the cost of maintaining the deteriorating site.
Leeds City Council has approved plans to auction the former Bentley Primary School on Clipston Street in Meanwood after declaring the property surplus to requirements.
The school has remained vacant since November 2018, with the council continuing to manage and maintain the site despite it no longer being used.
A council report said there was “no operational reason” to retain the building. It stated: “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.”
Council officers concluded that selling the site through auction offered the best chance of securing a buyer while generating income for the local authority.
Until now, the property had been protected by government legislation that prevented its sale without written consent from the Secretary of State for Education.
According to the report, that statutory restriction is due to expire in November 2026, allowing the disposal to proceed. A reserve price for the auction has not yet been confirmed.
While the council acknowledged there was a possibility the site may fail to sell, officers said demand for similar properties remained strong.
The report said: “This is unlikely given recent auction results which demonstrate strong interest in similar properties of this type and value.”
It added that selling the site would provide a capital receipt for the council while removing the ongoing maintenance burden associated with the vacant building.
Although no guarantees have been made about its future, the council said it expects a successful buyer to refurbish or redevelop the property, bringing it back into productive use and contributing to the local economy.
