This former Leeds social club will be demolished to make way for more than 50 retirement homes

Housing developer McCarthy Stone sought planning permission for the scheme at Crossgates Working Men’s Club.

Some 51 flats for elderly people will be built at the Orchard Road site after consent was given by Leeds City Council.

A planning officer’s report sad the L-shaped development would contain 36 one-bedroom and 15 two-bed flats for over 55s.

The appearance of the development, three storeys in height with a flat roof, was deemed to be in keeping with its surroundings.

The report said: “Indeed, it is evident that the proposal would produce a visual improvement to the appearance of the site while simultaneously introducing a more efficient land use.”

The flats will be built as part of the government-backed Older Persons Shared Ownership (OPSO) scheme.

People living in OPSO developments are able to buy a share in the property and pay a subsidised rent.

McCarthy Stone said it had opened more than 500 similar developments around the country, housing 22,500 elderly people.

The company acts as a landlord and managing agent for its properties.

Planning permission was subject to a contribution of almost £70,000 towards green space improvements in surrounding council wards.

Some £12,000 was also provided by the developer to pay for a parking upgrade on Cold Well Road.

Planning permission was previously granted in 2023 for demolition and nine new houses at the site.