A COUNCIL chief has been accused of 'double standards' in a war of words over Otley Civic Centre.

The Give Otley Its Town Hall! campaign is levelling the claim at Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning.

Cllr Lewis is overseeing what will happen to the Grade II Listed Civic Centre, and recently confirmed Leeds would be holding talks about three potential redevelopment schemes.

Campaigners, backed by MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) are furious one of those options could see the building converted into homes.

They have now hit out at Cllr Lewis over his welcoming of investment in the Town Hall in his own ward of Pudsey earlier this year - while "refusing to do the same for Otley".

Give Otley Its Town Hall! Chairman Tom Featherstone said: "It is absolutely disgraceful Cllr Lewis is heralding the protection of a civic building in his own backyard, whilst Otley’s continues to crumble.

“To say how important it is civic buildings are used in the ward he represents, but then to propose disposing of Otley’s only civic building is the worst kind of double standards.

"Otley deserves better and we will keep campaigning until Leeds shows Otley the same commitment it has shown in Richard Lewis’ own town."

Those comments were echoed by Mr Mulholland and Otley Town Councillor Peter Jackson (Lib Dem, Ashfield).

Cllr Jackson said: "Richard Lewis can celebrate the council department he runs spending money on Pudsey Town Hall in his own ward, but people in Otley will be disgusted that has the brass neck to do this whilst he won’t spend a penny on ours."

Mr Mulholland added: "It is wholly unacceptable and ethically very dubious for Cllr Lewis to be welcoming money spent by his department on civic buildings in his ward, when he is flatly refusing to spend money on Otley’s only civic building."

Cllr Lewis, however, insists the accusations are unjustified.

He said: "Leeds has not made the decision to dispose of the property to a private developer, but have compiled a shortlist of parties we will have further discussions with.

"We have clearly stated on a number of occasions that no decision has been made, and two of the shortlisted parties have proposed community access to the building.

“I did welcome, in February, that Pudsey’s library and One Stop Centre were being brought together as I think it is sensible to have services in one place.

"Of course this happened in Otley in 2012.

"Similarly, Pudsey Town Hall, a working office building, has needed improvement to provide the absolutely vital local services being delivered in Pudsey and surrounding areas.

"In the current financial climate we have to make very difficult decisions.

"A short walk around Leeds city centre will show that the Grade II Listed, 2 Great George Street, Leonardo Building and Thoresby House – all occupied council offices - have 'for sale' signs on them.

"No area is being treated any differently and a bit of perspective would allow Mr Mulholland to see that."