SELLING off unused council land and buildings could net £25m.

Kirklees Cabinet will on Tuesday be asked to back plans to dispose of surplus land and property assets the council no longer needs.

The sales are expected to generate £5m by 2015/16 and up to £25m within five years .

Council papers show 45 locations or buildings are earmarked to be sold off – some have already been sold or are in the process of being listed for sale.

Among them is Briarcourt at Lindley , currently on the market for £1.25m.

Other buildings to be listed for sale include the 10 public toilets recently closed by the council to save £151,000.

The former Stile Common School in Newsome is also expected to be listed for auction in December.

The council report says: “The council owns a wide variety of properties and land throughout the area.

“Such holdings are sold if they are declared non-operational and surplus to requirements.”

The council may also foot the bill for obtaining planning consent for some locations to add value to the sales.

The report adds: “Generally, the most significant costs are those associated with obtaining planning consents due to the increasing level of detail and accompanying information now required.

“Obtaining planning permission does, however, generally maximise a capital receipt which more than recoups the cost of obtaining the relevant permissions as it offers purchasers greater certainty of development.”

Government policy says land and assets cannot be sold for less than “best consideration” without the consent of the Secretary of State.

Best consideration means the highest price, but local authorities are able to sell land and buildings for an undervalue of up to £2m if it would achieve an economic, social or environmental objective.

Kirklees says a public auction will ensure the best price is achieved, but a reserve price will be applied.

LISTED FOR SALE:

Fieldhead Lindley: A former children’s home. A listed building, it’s being marketed for sale via Walker Singleton for an undisclosed sum.

In June Fellgreave Farm, Fixby , and Braeside Farm, Ashbrow, will both be sold at auction.

Whitcliffe School House, Cleckheaton, will be sold at auction in June. Planning permission has been granted for residential use. Whitcliffe School will be sold at auction. Plans are to demolish it with a planning application for residential use submitted.

109 Blacker Road, Birkby, a house within Edgerton Cemetery to be sold at auction in December.

Oakmead, Lindley, home of children’s services. To be closed soon and sold at auction in June 2014.

Dewsbury Little Theatre and car park in Batley to be sold at auction in June 2014. Potential for residential development.

Former depot at Station Road, Skelmanthorpe and former Hartshead Moor School to be sold at auction.