Estate agent could leave town after 200 years over plans row

Dacre, Son and Hartley, which has been based at its current location on Station Road since the 1920’s, fear they could be forced to leave the town if planners don’t show some flexibility.

The estate agent is looking to move its operation onto the high street in a bid to become more “consumer friendly”. But the branch fears its plans to move to an empty building on Kirkgate could fall foul of planning regulations that are designed to ensure that a percentage of shops on the high street are used for retailers.

Director David Phillip said: “We would be devastated if we had to leave Otley having had a presence here since 1820, but if the council refuse the change of use to allow us to move to 55 Kirkgate we could have no other option.

“Having spoken to our extremely loyal local client base we feel it would be detrimental to both the local community and our staff not to have an office in the very heart of Otley. Times have changed and we need a more consumer friendly and accessible building in the core retail area.

“No permanent occupier has been found for 55 Kirkgate since it was vacated by Johnsons dry cleaners last year, and we require change of use to allow us to bring life back to this empty building and some increased vibrancy to this area of town.

Head of planning at Dacres, Mark Johnson added: “Unfortunately there is a policy in place that dictates a certain percentage of high street buildings in some towns like Otley must be for retail use only.

“Despite there being no retailer demand for the space, a change of use to allow a bustling business to operate from the high street is being viewed negatively.”

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: “We do have policy to protect a balance of business types, however this is just one consideration when deciding on planning approval.”