Flats and offices planned for vandalised former sports and social club building

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West Leeds sports and social club
Site: West Leeds Sports & Social Club, off Redshaw Road. Photo: Betty Longbottom, CC BY-SA 2.0

By John Baron

The future of a vandalised former social club building has taken a new twist after plans to transform it into apartments and office space were submitted this week.

West Leeds Sports and Social Club, on Redshaw Road, Armley, closed in 2019 and has been the subject of vandalism and fly tipping.

Developer Pattenden Enterprises Ltd has applied to change the empty building into nine flats and offices, including side and front extensions to house new staircases to access upstairs accommodation. The building would be rendered and there would be parking for 64 vehicles in the existing car park, along with electric vehicle charging points.

A planning statement accompanying the application states: “The existing vacant property is not fit for purpose in its current form and requires considerable refurbishment and investment to provide habitable space.

The former West Leeds Sports and Social Club has suffered from vandalism and fly-tipping. Photo: John Baron

“The proposed scheme has been carefully designed to be sympathetic to the existing appearance of the building while incorporating newer additions which allow the scheme to work.

“The proposal for conversion into office space and nine apartments respects the existing architectural themes of the area and provides adequate parking facilities to accommodate an increased number of residents.”

There have been several planning applications for the site in recent years. Plans to transform it into offices were withdrawn in April.

Almost two years ago developers West Leeds Working Men’s Club withdrew plans to demolish the club and build ten houses in the area. The withdrawal followed concerns by the council over the loss of a building used by the community.

Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of the building here.

Nearby changing facilities and sports pitches used by West Leeds Eagles rugby club are unaffected by the plans.

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