By John Baron
Armley’s Strawberry Lane Community Centre and Kirkstall Abbey Lodge are the latest buildings Leeds City Council has confirmed it will sell.
The cash-strapped local authority has declared both buildings surplus to requirements as it looks to balance its books. Council chiefs hope to sell both buildings by public auction by April 2026.
Kirkstall Abbey Lodge and Depot is a residential property off Morris Lane, which has been vacant for several years. There are also some outbuildings which have been used more recently by Parks and Countryside staff.
A council report said: “The Green Spaces Extra Works Team had been using the subject property as a base but will largely relocate to Farnley Hall, leaving only a small presence on site within the Museum and Abbey grounds.”
The council report authorising its sale can be found here.
As previously reported, Strawberry Lane Community Centre will also be auctioned to the highest bidder during this financial year.
The site, first built as a school in in 1970s before being used as a college campus, could be redeveloped into housing. Tenant Armley Helping Hands, which supports older people in parts of LS12, relocated from the building at the end of November.
WLD understands the centre needs a £1 million investment to stay open.
A sale would relieve the council of the cost of maintaining the building, which is in a poor state of repair, the report said.
It said: “It is likely that the new owner will redevelop the property, which could result in new employment and residential opportunities which are known to bring health and well-being benefits.
“The sale of this property would alleviate the council of repair and maintenance costs as well as realising a capital receipt.”
Strawberry Lane Centre officially closed on 1 December.
The council report authorising its sale can be found here.
Follow WLD’s ongoing Cutswatch series – which chronicles budget cuts and building sales in West Leeds by local and national government – here.
Additional reporting: Don Mort, local democracy reporter
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