Ex-mental health hub sale to raise council cash

Don MortLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageLDRS An exterior general view image of a red brick medical centre and car parkLDRS
The building in Armley has been deemed surplus to requirements by the council

A former mental health centre will be sold to help raise £5m for a local authority, it has been confirmed.

The Stocks Hill Hub in Armley will be auctioned off after Leeds City Council deemed it surplus to requirements and moved its support services to another location.

The building, on Chapel Lane, was in a deteriorating condition it was anticipated that it would be redeveloped, according to the council.

A sale would generate a "capital receipt" for the local authority and remove the "growing burden" of the property, a spokesperson said.

Services provided at the hub were moved to the Calverlands Complex Needs Centre in Horsforth following a decision in April.

'Refurbish or redevelop'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a council report stated that as part of its 2025-26 budget, it had made a commitment to release a number of buildings to generate a targeted £5m.

"The disposal of this property is therefore critical to contributing to this target," it said.

An auction was the quickest way of disposing of the building and getting the best price, the council said.

The report added: "While no guarantees can be given, it is anticipated a new owner will refurbish or redevelop the property into productive uses, adding to the local economy."

The Stocks Hill Hub was closed as part of plans to reduce the number of sites offering the council's Day Opportunities service from six to three, saving £500,000.

As part of those plans, the Lovell Park hub would move to Wykebeck Complex Needs Centre and Vales Circles in Beeston would join Laurel Bank Complex Needs Centre in Middleton.

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