By John Baron
Users of a historic masonic hall will benefit from new air conditioning units to cope with an increase in summer heatwaves.
Planning permission has been approved by Leeds City Council for the installation at Pudsey Masonic Hall, on Church Lane.
A planning report submitted with the application said members faced excessive heat during evening meetings over recent summers at the hall, established in 1901.
It said: “Being an old building the insulation is not brilliant and with most of the meetings being held in the evening, the hot summer sun has time to heat the fabric and by the evening it’s like sitting inside a radiator.”
Air conditioning would be installed in the ground floor dining room and first floor meeting room, served by two external low-noise condenser units.
The report said: “Pudsey Masonic Hall is used most weekday evenings for masonic meetings and most days for community groups, and Sunday mornings for a church service.
“The air conditioning is being installed primarily to overcome the excess heat within the building during the last two or three hot summers.”
A council planning officer’s report approving the plans concluded: “The proposal will result in improved spaces for the benefit of the community and those who will use the space within the property.
“The proposal is acceptable in terms of design, and will not result in any significant harm to the historic character of the Pudsey conservation area. It will not lead to any unreasonable amenity impacts for neighbouring residential properties, and will be subject to conditions to prevent such impact.”
The hall’s website said the building could be booked for weddings, parties and conferences and had a dining capacity of 100.
The planning application and reports can be found here.
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