REDUNDANT school halls could be used by the community, says an Otley councillor.

But Leeds City Council says it would not be possible to reopen part of the former school for safety reasons and also because it intends to sell it.

The assembly hall and sports hall of Thomas Chippendale Primary have not been used since the school closed as part of the Otley primary schools reorganisation in August last year.

The council is proposing to sell the Weston Ridge site, but not for three years - during which time vandals could wreck the buildings.

"It's just such a waste, there is a huge potential there and if we look at what has happened to other buildings left empty, like the tannery in Gay Lane, the same thing could happen to the school," said Councillor Nigel Francis (Con, Otley and Wharfedale).

Coun Francis is proposing that Leeds City Council, which will need to sell the site to raise cash for the reorganisation of Otley's primary schools, hands over part of the school in exchange for the Weston Lane youth centre and the parish centre.

"The halls are a huge potential as a community resource.

"It might cost £4,000 to build a new one and it seems ridiculous to spend the money when we have halls already there not being used, especially as there is a shortage of resources on the Weston estate at the moment."

Coun Francis added that he believed the council was delaying selling the site because of the number of previously developed 'brownfield' sites currently on the market. He said: "The council doesn't want a glut of brownfield sites and will be thinking it will get a better price for the land if it hangs on to it."

Chris Lawson, of the Weston Lane Junior Sports and Social Club, said it was an excellent idea.

"There is definitely a lack of indoor facilities and this would be very useful for us, especially for the younger section that we intend to start."

He added although the halls had glass windows, indoor sports using soft balls could be used as well as other community events."

"It is an excellent idea and we would certainly be interested in using the halls."

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "Chippendale School forms part of the council's capital receipts programme. The council is currently looking at the most appropriate way of marketing the facility, which minimises the time taken to complete the disposal, but also ensures that the council receives best consideration for the site.

"The property is currently vacant and there are a number of health and safety resource implications that result from reopening the building.

"Given the council's intention to achieve a quick disposal it is not, therefore, considered practical to open part of the building and manage it for community use during the disposal process.

"Weston Lane community centre is adjacent to the site and is still open."