By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A long-running planning saga has ended with Leeds City Council refusing controversial plans for new homes on the former Armley Conservative Club site.
Eleven terraced houses would have been built on Theaker Lane under the proposals, which were first submitted in 2022.
Fairfield House, a 19th century sandstone building, and a neighbouring clubhouse would both have been converted to form eight terraced houses.
A separate row of three new-build houses was also proposed for the site under plans considered by Leeds City Council.
A planning report said concerns were raised over the impact on Armley Conservation Area during the planning process.
They included the ‘overly dominant, visually out of keeping’ design of the scheme and the impact on nearby trees.
The council’s highways department also raised road safety concerns about ‘sub-standard’ access to Armley Ridge Road.
The report added: “The Local Planning Authority consider the proposed conversion and partial demolition works fail to reflect the scale, form and proportions of this positive historic building and would result in a poorly designed addition which fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of Farfield House and the wider Conservation Area. The proposal would cause less than substantial harm to a designated heritage asset.”
A design statement by Halifax-basedapplicants Leeds Construction Developments said people living at the site would be close to shops and transport links.
It said: “Armley is well-equipped with local amenities. There is a large amount of public open space within the area, such as Armley Moor.”
The planning officer’s report said changes had been made to the layout of the scheme with the help of council design officers.
It said: “Regrettably, the latest revision has still not overcome the original conservation issues, and has now introduced new harm. Information is also missing in regard to several other areas such as greenspace and affordable housing.”
Concerns over the plans were discussed at an Armley Forum meeting in August 2022, amid concerns about extra traffic on ‘racetrack’ Armley Ridge Road.
Armley Conservative Club was established around 1895 and was based at The Dennison Hall. It later moved to The Primrose Hall and then to its present location at Far Field House.
The plans – and associated reports – can be read in full here.
Read more of WLD’s coverage of Armley Conservative Club here.
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I’d have thought a Labour council would love to build on anything that was formerly Conservative
Leeds Council’s continuous dragging of their feet when it comes to planning applications doesn’t bode well for 2 homes Rayner’s plan to build on every square inch of our green and pleasant land.
Ste Watts comment is so muddled it’s impossible to discern if he’s calling for more building or against it? He’s attacking the Labour Council for blocking development and criticising the Labour Government for wanting it – holding both positions at the same time. I can only conclude he’s had a touch of the Sun, and the Mail and the Express!