Leeds City Council decision-makers have been accused of “avoiding scrutiny” over Temple Newsam’s east lodge building, which is expected to be sold by the authority in the coming weeks.

An opposition councillor accused the authority of not properly consulting with residents and campaigners who wanted the building, which now stands empty, to remain in council ownership. He added the Covid-19 pandemic was being used as an “excuse” to get rid of the building.

Leeds City Council’s deputy leader has hit back, claiming she had consulted campaigners and that a new owner would help restore the building.

The proposed sale of the east lodge, which is Grade II listed, was approved by councillors last month, as the authority looks to plug an expected £118m budget shortfall for next year. Half of this is said to be caused by a loss of income and increased costs due to Covid-19.

Coun Sam Firth (Con) said: “We are very concerned about the lack of opportunities to discuss all of the options available before Labour Councillors sell the East Lodge and strip the estate of one of its historic assets.

“Despite the friends being assured in 2019 that the council would fund the lodge’s restoration to its former glory, the council has continued to leave it in disrepair.

“The current pandemic is being used as an excuse, whilst the ruling Labour administration recently approved borrowing more than £4,800,000 to fund non-essential projects at Temple Newsam.

“Despite more than 50 local residents writing in support of our initial call for a delay, and now over 600 adding their signatures to the local petition, they avoid the subject at every turn.”

He accused Labour councillors of “talking out” the time for him to ask a question about the site.

Leeds City Council deputy leader and Temple Newsam councillor Debra Coupar (Lab) insists she had consulted the Friends of Temple Newsam Park, adding that the best way to look after the building would be to sell to someone with the resources to take care of it.

She said: “Everyone knows the council is under huge finical pressure. 10 years of austerity have cut us down to the bone and meant that the financial pressures of Covid 19 mean that we have to look at options no one likes – if we didn’t have to find a saving of £118M this year we simply wouldn’t be doing this. Maybe Coun Firth has forgotten this.

“I stand by my comments that the friends of Temple Newsam Park were consulted around the time of the decision about the disposal of the lodge. I know the Friends did not agree with this sale and I understand that position.

“If it were not for the finical position of the council, I would not want to see it sold either. However, I believe that the best way to ensure that the property is safeguarded in the future is through allowing someone with a passion for the building and the necessary resources, to deliver a comprehensive refurbishment scheme, and I feel that this can only be achieved through disposal of a long lease of the building.

East Lodge was used as a house until 2017 and has been disused ever since.

Coun Coupar added that Coun Firth’s question would receive a written answer from the council, adding: “If he was really concerned for the people of Temple Newsam he would not supported the 10 years of austerity that have lead us here and then trying to score cheap points after the fact.”

Covid-19 pandemic ‘an excuse’ to get rid of Temple Newsam east lodge, councillor claims