Confusion as council told new Leeds bar 'won't sell alcohol'

Proposals to convert a former bank into a restaurant descended into farce after a U-turn during a council meeting.

K D Properties is seeking permission to transform the former Yorkshire Bank branch on Harrogate Road in Chapel Allerton into a bar and restaurant.

But in a bizarre twist during the North and East Plans Panel meeting, councillors were told there were no plans for a bar selling alcohol, contrary to the application and report prepared in advance.

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Speaking after the meeting, Coun Brian Cleasby, who sits on the panel, said: “Agents on behalf of the applicant came forward to speak at the meeting.

“They said there won’t be any sale of alcohol. It was bizarre.

“It was put forward as a bar and restaurant so I was totally and utterly confused.

“We didn’t throw it out because we didn’t know what was being asked for in the end and we said we would defer judgement on this.”

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The plans to transform the old Yorkshire Bank site had divided opinion ahead of the meeting, and the identity of the restaurant company has been kept under wraps.Formal objections were lodged against the application by Leeds Civic Trust and Chapel Allerton councillors Jane Dowson, Mohammed Rafique and Eileen Taylor.

They raised concerns about increased traffic.

Mr Cleasby said the area had been “overdone” with the number of restaurants.

He added: “There’s another concern in Chapel Allerton, which has become a magnet for restaurants.

“It has been overdone, and effectively killed the goose with the golden egg as it were.”