Planning officers have recommended permission be granted to get rid of St Patrick's Church in Petre Avenue and replace it with five two-storey houses.

But almost 100 campaigning residents on the Abbots Road estate have signed a protest petition against the application, submitted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds.

They say they will oppose any development of the site and the surrounding area for commercial use, housing or industry.

Two years ago, when the church closed, Coun Doreen Davies backed residents' calls for the building to be turned into a community centre when it was put on the open market.

In a statement this week, she said she now had to remain impartial on any decision for the church as she was a member of the planning committee.

District council chairman and former Catholic priest Coun Jude Thurlow (pictured) said the diocese as a charity was charged with disposing of the land in the most profitable way.

He added: "I've been working for quite some time with the residents' association in Abbots Road to get an agreement with the diocese in Leeds to make the place available as a youth centre.

"Unfortunately, the Diocese of Leeds, under charity laws, has to get the best price for the site.

"It's always difficult trying to strike a balance between getting the best price and fulfilling a social obligation." (d3909a420) Picture: Ian Chilvers