Asda has had plans for a market research and test centre at the Tetley Brewery approved.
The facility, which features 68 parking spaces and a 550-person capacity auditorium, marks the supermarket chain’s first official expression of interest in the site, although the plans have only temporary permission for five years.
Last year the YEP revealed that Asda looked set to buy the entire 22-acre site, in Hunslet, once the its five-year short term use as a gallery, green space and 900-space car park ends.
Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel approved the plans, which will convert part of an old warehouse on the brewery site, at a meeting yesterday.
A council planning report stated: “The temporary re-use of the building would bring increased activity into the area, and complement the delivery of new temporary pedestrian/cycle routes and greenspaces as part of the adjoining temporary car park permission.”
Asda’s plans drew objections from organisations including Leeds Civic Trust, Leeds City College and AQL citing “excessive” car parking and objecting to the closure of Hunslet Road.
Revised plans, which would not close the road to cyclists and pedestrians, were submitted and no further comments were received by the council.
A Carlsberg UK spokeswoman said: “Carlsberg UK and Asda have a long and strong trading relationship and have had for many years. As neighbours on the South Bank, this relationship will continue.”
She said Carlsberg still own all of the site and that there have been discussions with interested parties for parts of the site, though none have progressed into sale negotiations.
It has been suggested that Asda, currently based in Great Wilson Street, has first option to buy the entire site, which could mean that if Asda House moved, the council’s ambitions for a city park could be realised.
An Asda spokesman said the facility shows its commitment to investing in Leeds.
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