CONCERNS have been raised after it emerged a £600,000 community dance and drama studio has been built without disabled access.

Details of the flaw have come to light just weeks before the facility at Richmond School is to be opened.

It also emerged this week that future use of the school sports hall is in doubt because of holes in the roof.

The studio will be used by schoolchildren in the day and by the wider community at evenings and weekends.

Community activities such as aerobics, indoor bowls and dancing will be managed by Richmondshire Leisure Trust.

Iain Garth, the trust's general manager, said: "The concern is that there will be no access for people in wheelchairs.

"I know that they will resolve the issue, but it probably won't be resolved for some considerable time."

At present, the building has a disabled toilet, but steps into the building prevent disabled access.

Modifications will be carried out as part of the school's £19.2m renovation, although this work is not expected to start before summer 2007.

The studio was funded by the school, the Government and a grant of £150,000 from Richmondshire District Council.

There is also concern about the condition of the adjacent sports hall, which is also used by the community.

District councillor Jill McMullon, a member of the leisure trust committee, said: "It's in an appalling state. Rain is dripping onto the electric box."

The trust is considering whether to stop hiring the facility out until repairs can be made.

Opposition councillors are now calling for talks to be held with St Francis of Xavier School (SFX), in Richmond, about using its sports hall.

The council voted against using the building last year.

Coun McMullon said: "When Richmond sports hall closed, we were promised we would get new facilities, with developments coming on-line at SFX and facilities at Richmond School being updated.

"We're now getting third-rate facilities and a fourth-rate service."

Both the district and North Yorkshire County Council said it was an issue for the school.

Nobody from Richmond School was available for comment yesterday.