Proposals to extend the opening hours of a swingers club in Armley could be approved this week – despite concern from Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves.
As previously reported, Pandora’s has applied for retrospective permission to extend its opening hours to include opening at 10am and closing in the early hours of the morning.
It currently has permission to open from 7pm until midnight Monday to Thursdays and on Sundays, and from 7pm to 2am on Friday and Saturdays.
Four letters of objection have been received from local residents, all three ward councillors and Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves. Their objections include parking issues, road safety and concerns the swingers club is in an unsuitable position off Ledgard Way, across the road from a residential area.
But council planning officers are recommending the application be approved. In a report to be considered by councillors at Thursday’s South and West Plans Panel in Leeds Civic Hall, planning officer Aaron Casey concludes:
“It is not considered the proposed hours of operation now proposed would have an unduly adverse impact on residential amenity, parking requirements, highway safety or the character and appearance of the immediate or wider area.
“The premises sits within a commercial setting and all activities would by their nature be restricted within the building other than the smoking shelter where patrons are unlikely to use undressed or in robes.”
Gay sauna Steam Complex, which operated in nearby Ayres Avenue, was destroyed by fire in November 2016 and reopened at the Pandora venue last November.
The planning report adds the Steam Complex has been operating within times outside those approved when Pandora was granted planning permission in 2016.
The planners’ report can be read in full here.
