By John Baron
Proposals to demolish a dilapidated and dangerous former medical centre in Armley and build 18 apartments in its place have been submitted to Leeds City Council for approval.
The derelict site, on Theaker Lane, off Armley Town Street, has sat empty for many years and has been subjected to vandalism, arson and anti-social behaviour. It’s been branded locally as an ‘eyesore’.
New plans for the site include the demolition of existing clinic building and the construction of two four-storey blocks with 18 apartments new access, parking and associated landscaping.
The applicant is named as Stanningley-based WTS Armley Ltd.
A planning statement accompanying the application says there would be seven flats in the front block with 11 fiats to the rear block, along with a small communal garden area. The apartments would be a mix of one and two bedroom.
There would be eight parking spaces in ‘a highly sustainable location given its town centre siting close to public transport’.
“The site is in a derelict state and the sooner planning approval is given the sooner the site can be developed,” the planning statement by planning agents Northern Design (Oldham) concludes.
“The poor condition of the present structure, coupled with the relocation of healthcare services to the nearby LIFT complex more than a decade ago, means it is unlikely to ever again be required for its original purpose.”
The latest plans can be read in full and commented on here. Council planners aim to make a decision on the application by Friday, 30 September 2022.
Previous unsuccessful plans for the Theaker Lane clinic site include a 22-bed hostel with six kitchens in 2016.
The building was subject to an arson attack in 2018, dubbed at the time by Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves as a ‘wake up call’ for Leeds City Council to properly secure the building.
Photos by urban explorer Chaotic Footsteps were published by WLD last October and showed how dangerous the building was.
