By John Baron
A vandalised former social club building will be transformed into apartments and office space after Leeds City Council gave the green light.
West Leeds Sports and Social Club, on Redshaw Road, Armley, closed in 2019 and has been the subject of vandalism and fly tipping.
Since then it has been the subject to a number of unsuccessful planning applications to bring it back into use.
Developer Pattenden Enterprises Ltd has now successfully 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.”
A planning officer’s report approving the application states: “The proposal is not considered to have a significant detrimental impact on neighbouring residential amenity or the character or appearance of the street scene, whilst contributing toward housing delivery targets set out in the adopted Site Allocations Plan.
“In addition the amended scheme provides a suitable highway and access arrangement along with achieving policy compliance in terms of gross internal floor space and external amenity provision.”
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 Plans to transform it into offices were withdrawn in April.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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