COUNCIL property bosses today said they hoped to receive "well in excess" of the £125,000 valuation which has been placed on a former York school.

Neil Hindhaugh, City of York Council's assistant director of property services, spoke out to reassure Clifton residents about the future of the old Shipton Street School.

The Evening Press reported on Tuesday how valuers had estimated the value of the former school and its land at about £125,000.

Mr Hindhaugh said the figure was one of a range of valuations being considered for the site, which he could not divulge because of confidentiality.

But he said the council's expectations were that it would "receive acceptable bids for this site".

Until last month, the school was being considered as a possible venue for a relocated Arc Light hostel to provide accommodation for the homeless.

But that plan was ditched following a strong campaign from residents and a petition which was signed by more than 2,000 people.

Council leader Steve Galloway said the site would be placed on the open market "as soon as possible".

Mr Hindhaugh said it was "not the council's intention to sell the former Shipton Street School site by any means other than open market".

The council "acknowledges that it would expect the 50 per cent affordable housing policy and listed building status to influence any development and as a consequence the level of bid received", he said.

"We have no idea what bids would be made, and what amounts, because of the caveats attached to the school site."

Mr Hindhaugh said considerations that needed to be taken in account included work inside the building, and what kind of scheme would achieve planning permission, all of which would have a bearing on the final sale price.

Local community leaders have criticised the decision to sell the school site on the open market, arguing that the building should instead be utilised for community use.

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, October 27, 2005