By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A West Leeds library building is to be sold off at auction, a council report has today confirmed.
Leeds City Council said the Calverley Library site could be re-developed, after it has been put up for sale by public auction.
Library services provided at the Thornhill Street building, built in 1973, are set to move to Calverley Mechanics Institute. As reported by WLD, refurbishment work was due to start at the Mechanics this month.
A council report said the sale would raise cash for the authority, which must make more than £100m in savings this financial year.
It said: “The building is located in the centre of established residential area.
“It is likely the building will attract a number of buyers from self-builds and builders to demolish and redevelop.”
More than £200,000 was being invested in a refurbishment of the nearby Mechanics building to make the re-location possible.
The council said it was liable for maintenance costs while the current building was still in use.
The report said: “A disposal will remove these responsibilities and associated costs.”
The council held a public consultation into the future of the library service in the village earlier this year.
The report said: “It should be noted that a mobile library service will be utilised during the relocation of library resources to the Mechanics Institute.
“This is to ensure continuity of service and minimise any down time.”
The council said it was proposing to sell the library building before the end of this financial year.
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Will it be sold without planning permission? How long will the work in the Mechanics Institute take. We were told that the library would not close until the new library space in the MI is ready for occupation. Has this promise been renegated on?
This is appalling, I have used this library since being at school, the warm atmosphere and lovely staff make it so welcoming and such a great choice of books. It seems incredible that though the council needs money they have millions to spend when it comes to yet another new sports centre nearby on the beautiful fields need woodland. Despite the depletion of forests in the UK it seems there is always another development ? Woodland which provides important habitat and also a chance for people who don’t want to play football or organised sport to get out.