Fears for 200 jobs if new centre cancelled

The Government has announced its decision to suspend the project and re-examine the allocation of 30m of credits under its PFI scheme.

Now, in a joint letter, all the political groups of Leeds City Council, have written to Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, pressing the case for a "wellbeing centre," in the Holt Park area of Leeds.

The letter says: "Work was expected to start in the next few weeks. The 100 construction jobs this would have created for the local economy are now on hold and will never materialise if the project is cancelled.

"At a time of increasing unemployment, this is not what Leeds needs and will quite likely increase the number of people claiming benefits, meaning more cost for the taxpayer."

It had been planned that the centre would have been the first of its type in Leeds, and would include swimming pools, a gym and treatment and consulting room, with the emphasis placed on the link between health and an active lifestyle.

The letter adds: "The new centre would integrate health and leisure services with services for older people and people with learning disabilities, and link to the nearby Ralph Thoresby school.

"This would maximise the use of the building, making public sector efficiency savings.

"Most importantly, the new centre would provide a holistic service for some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds."