ALMOST a year after the permanent closure of two of Otley's primary schools, the former school sites are still waiting to be redeveloped.

Thomas Chippendale Primary in Weston Ridge is up for sale, although the former playing fields will remain for community use.

Leeds City Council has said as protected playing fields in the Leeds Unitary Development Plan (UDP), the land will be protected against any future development.

And in the centre of town, on a prime development site, the former All Saints Junior School site at North Parade and Bridge Street looks set to be snapped up by housing developers.

A group of parents fought against the closure of the school accusing Education Leeds of failing to hold a proper consultation. But despite taking their fight to the London High Court, the parents lost their battle - although the judge made recommendations for future handling of school closures.

As soon as it was confirmed that the school was to close, councillors and Harold Best MP tried to save the building for community use and suggested that it would make an ideal site for the relocation of the town's library.

But the library service deemed the building unsuitable and turned its attention to a new build on the Nelson Street car park.

Education Leeds stands to get the vast majority of the proceeds of the sales of both sites - although the All Saints Junior School site is owned by the Bradford Diocese, the church will receive less than 20 per cent of the sale with the rest going to the council.

Developers Erkulis Builders, based in Yeadon, want to convert the listed school buildings in North Parade into 18 apartments. Erkulis, which has yet to submit a planning application for the site, specialises in the sympathetic conversion of former schools, is responsible for the residential conversion of former brewery convention centre Ashfield House in Weston Lane.

The remainder of the site, the former school annexe on Bridge Street, is expected to be developed with housing following the demolition of the semi-derelict annexe. The annexe was recently evacuated by the All Saints Out of School Club which has relocated to the Cross Green Community Centre.

Last month, the Bradford Diocese and some neighbours argued against the confirmation of more than 40 tree preservation orders (TPOs) on trees on the site. The diocese, as trustees of the site, has a legal responsibility to get the highest possible price for the land, and argued that so many trees would affect its potential development potential.

Despite the arguments of its tree expert, the diocese lost its case and the TPOs were confirmed.

It will mean that although it is not impossible to cut down some of the trees, which include willow, cherry and birch, developers will have to apply separately for permission.

Bradford Diocesan secretary Malcolm Halliday has confirmed that a developer is interested in the Bridge Street site and has made preliminary investigations into the land, which is close to the river. He has also said that he is sure that the eventual redevelopment of the split site will benefit the town.

Meanwhile, residents of the Weston estate can enjoy the use of the former Thomas Chippendale primary school playing fields.

A council spokesman said "The school playing fields are defined as a Protected Playing Pitch under the adopted Unitary Development Plan. We will aim to protect their status as a playing field for community use as part of any redevelopment of the school site."