Why the renovation of the iconic Wakefield Arms pub remains incomplete

Once the go-to place for live jazz music in the city as well as a popular drinking spot, the derelict Wakefield Arms pub remains, from the outside at least, a sorry sight.
The Wakefield Arms has been shut since 2003.The Wakefield Arms has been shut since 2003.
The Wakefield Arms has been shut since 2003.

Located next to Kirkgate Station, the pub's suffered multiple break-ins since its closure in 2003, as well as invasions by squatters and is widely regarded as an eyesore.

However, plans to convert the venue into a block of 14 flats are "95 per cent done", according to one of the men tasked with giving the building a new lease of life.

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But a stand-off between the owner, Hakim Karim, and Wakefield Council threatens to hinder completion of the job. No work has taken place at the Grade II listed building since Christmas.

Phil Fletcher is the planning agent for the property owner Hakim Karim. He says he's frustrated by delays to the work, which he says are being caused by a lack of communication from the council.Phil Fletcher is the planning agent for the property owner Hakim Karim. He says he's frustrated by delays to the work, which he says are being caused by a lack of communication from the council.
Phil Fletcher is the planning agent for the property owner Hakim Karim. He says he's frustrated by delays to the work, which he says are being caused by a lack of communication from the council.

Phil Fletcher, the Wakefield-based agent of Mr Karim, says communication from the council has run dry and that it's yet to sign off on approving the finishing touches to the scheme.

For its part, the local authority says the developer carried out work without consent on the site and has yet to request retrospective planning permission for it.

Mr Fletcher said: "If we got an answer tomorrow it could be done within a month.

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"We just want to agree a compromise and get on with it because everything's been on hold for six months.

Two purpose-built structures have been put up either side of the original building.Two purpose-built structures have been put up either side of the original building.
Two purpose-built structures have been put up either side of the original building.

"If you look at the pub now that Chantry House has been demolished it's very visible from the Kirkgate roundabout now.

"The council has said they want to improve this area of Wakefield. We're told building's going to be an important part of the economic recovery but we can't do anything here at the moment.

"This is 95 per finished, but we can’t speak to anyone at the council at all."

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Two purpose-built structures have been put up either side of the old pub building to increase the size of the overall development and to potentially include a cafe.

Mr Fletcher acknowledged part of the work had been built without planning permission, but said this was a result of a misunderstanding between the owner and the council.

He said the two-bed flats would appeal to young professionals drawn by the site's proximity to the city centre and the station.

In response, the council's corporate director for regeneration Tom Stannard, said:"The Wakefield Arms is a Grade II listed property which was granted planning permission and listed building consent to bring it back into use.

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“Unfortunately, what was permitted has not been built. The owner has been encouraged to submit the requested applications for the unauthorised works undertaken at the site so that these can be given further consideration by the council.

“Advice and information has been given to the owner but no applications have been submitted to date.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

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