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Roundhay Park Mansion plan is hit by fire safety report
A fire officer has demanded major changes to Roundhay Park Mansion before it can be used again for public functions.
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Leeds-based company Dine Ltd has been chosen as the preferred operator of the private catering facility and submitted proposals in November.
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City planners were expected to take a decision on them this month but a fire safety report has thrown the timetable into disarray.
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A council spokesman said: "The officer recommended a number of changes to comply with fire regulations.
"These include wider doors, wider entrances, internal fire doors and a brand new external fire escape, including a staircase.
"Because these changes are so significant, a revised plan has had to be drawn up and re-advertised.
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"Site notices have gone up and now the public has until January 14 to
comment.
"We are also waiting to hear comments from our own conservation officer."
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Original plans submitted by Dine proposed a Mansion Terrace Cafe and Garden Room in what was the original ground floor restaurant area.
These would have access to the terrace in front of the Visitor Centre.
The Colonnades would take the place of the original lounge bar which faces the middle walk through the park.
The staircase and hall would remain, with new small toilets behind the staircase.
A small kitchen/office area would fill the gap left by the D'Arcy Bar adjacent to the Education Centre.
A spokesman for the Friends of Roundhay Park said: "The proposals are not contentious in planning terms and we have generally got what we fought for – except for there not being a full bar/restaurant facility.
"Personally, I find this disappointing but it is not a reason to object
to the scheme."
Work was expected to start early this year on the re-fit of the Grade Two listed building which was scheduled to open for business in summer.
There was no one available for comment at Dine's agents, Plumtree Mee Ltd, of Tadcaster.
Dine already holds catering contracts for a number of high-profile venues including Leeds Town Hall, Harewood House, Fountains Abbey and York Minster.
Its managing director, Daniel Gill, is the son of one of Yorkshire's most famous restaurateurs, Michael Gill.
The selection of Dine by the city council's executive board marked the end of a long saga which began in 2003 when the former tenants, Craven and Gilpin, surrendered their lease.
In December 2005, the council agreed to spend a total of 1.9m (which included 407,000 lottery cash) to upgrade the Mansion and establish a visitor centre.
A marketing exercise to attract bids to operate the Mansion took place in 2006 but was unsuccessful.
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Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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