Crossgates Working Men’s Club plans to build houses on its own land to survive

Crossgates Working Men’s Club in east Leeds wants to sell off an “underused” part of its grounds, once used for car parking, to be developed into a small estate of nine properties.

A statement attached to the planning application for the scheme said the club will “fail” without an “immediate cash injection”.

The club, on Orchard Road in Cross Gates, close to the local rail station, has been running for more than 100 years and is “an important facility for the local community and wider Leeds residents”, the statement said.

Outlining the proposals, it said: “The club is currently in financial difficulty and seeking to maintain its future existence and presence within the community through disposing of an area of surplus land for the erection of nine dwellings together with a new car park for the club.

“The proposed sale would secure the future of the club for the next 20/25 years.”

If approved, the scheme would see a block of three townhouses, all of them three storeys high built, alongside six semi-detached properties.

A total of 20 parking spaces would be provided for the nine houses.

However, the development would also formalise 19 parking spaces specifically for the club’s members, in addition to a smaller parking area currently in use on the south side of the venue, on Cold Well Road.

The statement said the site in question, “Comprises an existing area of underused hardstanding located to the north of the club premises, formerly used for car parking, but it is excessive for the club’s requirements and is no longer required in connection with the club use.”

Members of the public can now have their say on plans, which will either be approved or rejected by the city council in due course.