CITY leaders are to be asked for answers on the future of derelict garages next to a former York school.

The burnt-out building on Beverley Court, near the old Our Lady's Primary School site in Acomb which is set to become a housing development, was reported to City of York Council for repairs in 2012, and a local councillor and campaigners now want to know when it will be dealt with.

Coun Lynn Jeffries, who represents the Westfield ward for the Liberal Democrats, will use this week's full council meeting to ask the Labour cabinet how much rent has been lost since the garage has been out of use, why repairs have taken so long and whether the situation has been repeated at other sites in the city.

Lib Dem campaigner and former council leader Andrew Waller said parking was already restricted in the area, saying: "Housing will be built on the former school site and some existing on-road parking will be lost, together with the migration of cars from a new estate of 55 houses.

"There is limited parking space, with virtually every part of the site being built on. Residents are concerned about the displacement of cars, which would compound an already difficult situation, especially for the vital bus service to the area."

He said loss of revenue to the council from the garages since they have been out of use was also an issue. The £6 million Our Lady's development was given the go-ahead by the council in December, with developers Yorkshire Housing saying it would help address demand for affordable homes in the city as 41 of the houses would be made available for social rent.