Redevelopment of listed Leeds buildings approved

Plans to redevelop a pair of listed buildings in Leeds, most recently in use as a hotel and bar, to create new student accommodation have been given the green light.Stirling Prescient submitted full planning and listed building applications to Leeds City Council last year for the redevelopment of a pair of grade II-listed buildings on Great George Street.The Victoria Hotel is a pub former commercial hotel on upper levels. The Shenanigans pub was formerly two separate buildings – a Masonic Hall and the ‘Central Tower’.The plans cover the partial demolition of the existing buildings and a new rear extension to Shenanigans extending to seven storeys.A total of 67 studio student rooms would be created through the conversion of the existing buildings and the proposed new floorspace.Facilities including a student lounge, gym and laundry would be provided, along with 22 cycle parking spaces.At ground floor level, the former Victoria and Commercial public house would be retained ad continue in use as a pub, with flexible commercial (Class E) uses proposed for the former Masonic Hall.The applications were considered by the council’s City Plans Panel on 19 May, with members unanimously voting to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.The decision was in line with the recommendation of a planning officer’s report prepared for the meeting, as previously reported by Insider.