By John Baron
Plans to transform the former HSBC bank building in Pudsey into a retail unit and flats have been approved by council planners.
The former HSBC Bank, at the corner of Church Lane and Robin Lane, has been empty since it closed its doors in October 2020. A number of planning applications – including for apartments and a coffee shop – have been submitted since then.
Plans submitted in June by Mohammed Abbas, of Otley Old Road, proposed that the ground floor former banking hall become a retail unit, with five additional one-bedroom flats to the ground and first floors.
The plans have since been scaled back, with the ground floor flats removed and two offices being retained, with two flats to the first floor.
There were 20 objections, mainly on the grounds of poor quality of accommodation and the use of uPVC windows and rainwater goods is not appropriate within a Conservation Area. There was one letter of support on the grounds that more housing is needed to tackle the housing crisis.
A planning officer’s report approving the proposals concluded: “The proposal is considered to offer good levels of living conditions for future occupants without undue harm to the existing residents. Matters of heritage, highways and use are acceptable.”
Original plans said the proposed retail unit would open seven days a week, 7am to 11pm.
- The plans can be viewed in full here.
- Follow WLD‘s coverage of the building’s future here.
Sponsored content
