Farsley Liberal Club: Historic Leeds social club flat conversion has major plan change approved by council

Leeds City Council granted full planning permission to convert the Farsley Liberal Club on Farsley Town Street into six apartments back in October 2023.

But in a recent change of plans, the project has had a new application approved after developers came to the conclusion that one of the apartments would be too difficult to build.

In a statement on behalf of the applicant, PARKdesigned Architects wrote: “Having reviewed the extant planning permission, more particularly with the benefit of specialist structural advice, it became apparent that approved apartment one at basement level would be extremely difficult to create.

“The works involved in underpinning the existing building and accessibility made it unviable and consequently PARKdesigned Architects were asked to reappraise and amend the scheme.

“In doing so we have produced a much simpler amended proposal, which creates 4 no. large duplex apartments, each featuring two bedrooms on the ground and first floors.

“The new plan maintains the historic feature corridor providing access through the building from the front to rear.”

In addition to the four duplex apartments, a one bedroom apartment with its own entrance will be built on the lower ground floor.

The new plans were approved by Leeds City Council on May 28, with the planning committee stating that the development permitted has to start within three years.

The club, which first opened in 1888, announced its closure in July 2022, writing on social media: "It is with sadness we have to announce that Farsley Liberal Club will cease trading.

"The last day of trading will be on Monday, August 29, 2022.

"We would like to thank all members who have supported the club, especially during the past two difficult years."