Community centre campaign moves on to roles for workers

Last week senior councillors in the city accepted a bid from a group of Leeds residents to retain the former Royal Park Primary School, in Hyde Park, Leeds, for community use – on condition they raise 750,000 in nine months.

Members of Leeds City Council's executive board agreed the nine-month exclusivity deal to give the Royal Park Community Consortium (RPCC) the opportunity to raise the required money. Progress will be checked after six months to make sure the scheme is on track.

The decision follows a six-year campaign to get the building back into use.

A public meeting will be held on Saturday at the Burley Lodge Centre.

Last night Suzi Marsh, one of the organisers said: "People have been working really hard on this project and it's great to see the level of support that exists within the community.

"We've also been getting plenty of requests from people wanting to know how they can get involved, so with this in mind we'd like to invite everyone to attend an open meeting at: 2pm on Saturday 15th January at the Burley Lodge Centre.

"This will be a chance for everyone to find out more about the RPCC's plans for the building and how they can get involved. There's a lot of work still to do and this project will only succeed if everyone gets involved, so please come along and find out how you can help.

"There's a role for absolutely everyone regardless of experience, but we are particularly keen to hear from people with experience in accounting, grant writing and construction as well as fundraising of any fashion – we've got to raise 750,000 in nine months and we're going to need all the help we can get!"

The former Royal Park Primary School was closed in 2004 and needs costly refurbishment work. It had served as a centre for community activity when it was in use.

Three bids to purchase the school were received – one to retain it for a range of community uses, one to convert it for housing and the other to refurbish it for offices, workshop space and community use.

The successful community consortium wants to see the building used for a variety of uses, including a nursery, gym, small business units, possibly a library and also for use by youth and community groups.

During 2009 the school hit the headlines when protesters occupied the site in a protest against its deteriorating condition which led some to fear it would eventually be demolished.

During the occupation, they cleared rubbish from inside and around the premises, carrying out painting and repairs before the council took legal action and had them evicted from the site in the city's Hyde Park area.

The council took court action to have them evicted on health and safety grounds, incurring legal costs of 2,948.50.

The authority's Inner North West Area Committee asked that the costs be waived and last week the executive board decided that it was appropriate for the area committee to pay the costs from its budget if it felt it necessary.

Speaking after the executive board meeting Coun Richard Lewis, the council's executive member responsible for city development said: "We recognise that the former Royal Park School is a much-loved building and that the extent to which it is made available for community use is a concern for residents.

"That is why we are doing everything that we can to bring it back into community use and secure its restoration for future generations."