I am delighted that I was able to secure planning permission for a change of use for the former bank in Guiseley which will become a Potting Shed. This is the sixth Potting Shed unit that I have been able to secure a licence upon and the first where I have appeared on behalf of the client before the Plans Panel to secure planning. It is a fantastic and growing family friendly brand.
The application for change of use had 76 objections from local residents and the two Local Ward Councillors also objected to the application.
The South and West Plans Panel of Leeds City Council considered the application yesterday and I was delighted to persuade them to grant the change of planning use with a vote of 7 in favour of the application and 2 against the application.
The panel accepted that although there was a localised level of objection to the application that the application had been promoted in a proactive way and followed policy. They also thought that there were significant benefits to the grant and also the operator had a good track record elsewhere.
We had held a public meeting in Guiseley to explain what the scheme entailed and had agreed a number of specific conditions with the Planning Officer in relation to the build fit out and opening hours of the premises.
I was delighted to work with Carl Copestake from Knights who leads their planning department. It was beneficial to have a planner and myself with detailed knowledge of the company and the site to deal with the questions raised by the Planning Panel.
This now gives the greenlight for the operator to fit out the redundant building and have it open in time for Christmas trading.