Development at former cinema site in frame to win approval

REVISED plans to partly demolish a former West Yorkshire cinema and build 12 apartments look set to be approved.

ATC Properties Ltd has submitted a new planning application for the former Lounge cinema in North Lane, Headingley, Leeds.

The company wanted to build offices at the site but the downturn in the economy forced a re-think in favour of apartments.

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The new plan is to demolish part of the cinema and create a four-storey building containing space for a restaurant and retail use, 12 two-bed apartments and a smoking terrace to the existing Arc Cafe Bar. There will also be a 37-space car park. A report by Leeds Council's planning department is recommending that the plans are passed to the chief planning officer for approval, subject to conditions.

The report says: "On balance, the city council considers the proposal would not give rise to any unjustified consequences for the character and appearance of the conservation area."

The new proposal would involve the partial demolition of the cinema building with the retention of the entrance facade and the majority of the North Lane frontage.

The application is significantly different to previously approved plans, says the council.

The changes include:

The height of the building has been slightly reduced;

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The proposed use of the first, second and third floors has changed from offices to residential;

The basement car park has been removed;

The North Lane cinema facade will be retained.

The revised planning application has attracted four letters of objection, including one from Lib Dem Councillor James Monaghan.

Objectors say the design of the four-storey building is not in keeping with the area and that Headingley does not need any more apartments.

Coun Monaghan expressed concerns about the height of the building and the use of render. He also is worried about the effect that the smoking terrace will have on nearby residents.

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The report says the apartments are not specifically aimed at the student market but they would not be excluded from occupying them.

Anyone wanting to occupy the flats will be aware that Headingley has a busy night time economy and living there will be different to life in quieter suburbs, the report states.

The report says the proposal is an improvement on previous applications because it would mean the North Lane facade would be retained, which is good from a conservation point of view.

The applicant has also agreed to revise the scheme to remove the proposed render from the North Lane facade, which will preserve the existing brickwork.

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The creation of a smoking area to the rear of the Arc would not lead to a further increase in noise, the report says.

"The residential elements of the scheme would not be over looked or suffer any loss of privacy from the smoking area due to the relationship of windows to the smoking area...it is not envisaged that the use of the smoking area would generate any serious noise or disturbance concerns to future occupiers."

In conclusion, the report says: "The proposed scheme is considered a positive improvement upon the, previously, approved scheme in terms of retention of the entire North Lane facade of the Lounge Cinema building which is seen as key to the redevelopment of this site in this important position in Headingley conservation area."

The plans come before the Plans Panel West tomorrow.