The Headingley school had applied to build houses on the playing field and sports centre on Victoria Road, but the application has now been scrapped as the school explores "the possibility of a viable local community interest for the facility".

The buildings have stood empty since summer 2008 when the school moved to the Leeds Grammar School site in Alwoodley.

The six applications submitted for the original scheme – a mixture of conversions and new building – attracted 4,459 letters of objection.
Councillors for the area, Greg Mulholland MP and seven community organisations were among those opposing the plans, which would involve the loss of a protected playing pitch and a large number of one-bedroom flats.

Following calls from residents, the school opened negotiations with Leeds Metropolitan University (LMU) about keeping the sports centre and playing fields in community use – but these talks collapsed in August when LMU withdrew interest.

The school has now scrapped that particular application until the future of the land is decided.

An email sent by a Leeds City Council planning official and seen by the YEP reads: "Discussion has been underway for some time with all parties who might have been able to provide future use of the facility both for their own specific purposes and for that of community.

"Considering the uncertainty surrounding this matter, and the clear relationship between the future use of the sports hall site and the current proposals for residential development, the applicants have decided to withdraw at this stage."

The planning applications relating to other parts of the site are still ongoing, but more consultation is due to be held.

The email reads: "The revised plans and reports associated with the planning applications relating to the main school site have been received. An agreement on timescale and details of the re-consultations have been agreed with ward members."