A PERMANENT arts centre for Otley is one of the possible future uses of the town's former magistrates' courts.

Discussions are set to take place in the coming weeks over what the future holds for the building at Courthouse Street, owned by the Leeds Development Agency, the property wing of Leeds City Council.

The former courthouse has not been in regular use since the end of March last year. But the idea of the building being used as an arts centre has been fuelled by its successful use as a venue in the town's Midsummer Madness event last year and again over the weekend of July 14 this year.

Phil Coyne, an Otley town councillor (Lab, Ashfield Ward) and Leeds city councillor (Otley and Wharfedale), said that although the issue was at a very early stage, the possibility of the building becoming an arts venue was an idea he wanted to explore.

Coun Coyne told the Wharfedale: "That's one of the things that I would like to raise with the officers, the possibility of that. I must stress it is at a very early stage and it would depend on the financing and what other possible uses the Leeds Development Agency have identified for it."

Coun Coyne said that the former courthouse seemed an appropriately designed venue for arts-based activities. He said: "The building itself would lend itself to that use quite well. You have got an auditorium and small rooms off it with a public space. There are spaces for people meeting and spaces for craft rooms and art workshops off the side.

"Initially it is quite attractive but I must say we are at the very early stages of exploring the possibility. You can't be pre-emptive - it depends what Arts for Otley wants, whether it fits in with their requirements. They would be one of the groups that needs to be consulted."

He added: "In about a month's time we should be able to say more clearly whether it is a runner or not."

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: "No decisions have yet been taken on the future use of the former magistrates' Court.

"However, the situation is being reviewed and the building's future will be the subject of discussions in the next month or so, between Leeds City Council and Otley Town Council."

Richard Sabey, of Arts For Otley, said: "Arts for Otley was set up to campaign for a community arts centre in Otley because we felt that there was so much going on in Otley and so much potential for expanding on that and providing a so-called centre.

"As far as the magistrates court goes, the basic position is that we would be delighted if the City Council made that available and certainly we would put it to use."

l WHAT do you think about the future of the former Otley Courthouse? Write to: The Editor, Wharfedale Newspapers, 9 Orchardgate, Otley, LS21 3NX.

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