Planning permission granted for new cafe on site of former HSBC bank in Armley

The site at the junction of Stocks Hill and Crab Lane is set to be converted by successful applicant Soheil Kahani.

Prior to the application being made, the building has been used as a library and a HSBC bank.

The opening hours of the premises will be restricted to the hours of 11:00am to 11pm from Monday to Sundays and Bank Holidays, the permission document states.

A design statement attached to the council website declaring the permission being granted states: "Every effort has been made in this proposal to meet the planning policies of the council.

"It is of upmost importance for developments to match and complement the existing properties in the area.

“The proposed end use will secure that this site remains in a viable commercial use and there will be the retention and possible creation of jobs and investment into the site that are likely to bring economic benefits as a result.”

There were no objections to this proposal on the grounds of local air quality, the council officer said.

A site notice informing nearby residents of the plans was put up in late April.

There was only one response, which said the site would make a "great cafe" - however the respondent asked if the planned aluminium frontage could be changed.