West Leeds Sports and Social Club Boarding Plan

By Don Mortlocal democracy reporting service

A former social club could be turned into a boarding school for children with special needs.

The plan would turn West Leeds Sports and Social Club in Armley into a residential facility for 20 young people.

Based on Pudsey Hubz for youtha provider of services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), applied for planning permission.

A planning report said: “We operate five Ofsted registered homes, each designed to provide a safe, structured and supportive environment for these young people.”

The Redshaw Road club closed in 2019 and has since fallen victim to vandalism and fly-tipping.

Planning permission was previously awarded in February 2023 to convert the building, on Redshaw Road, into flats and offices. Previous proposals for offices and housing on the site have failed to gain planning permission.

A design statement said the new school would help meet the needs of children with emotionally challenging behaviours, in partnership with Leeds City Council.

It said: “The scheme provides the necessary internal facilities for educational and care purposes as well as external recreation space suitable for a small school of this nature.”

The proposal would see the ground floor converted into five classrooms, each for four children, along with a dining area, offices and a gym.

The top two floors would house student bedrooms, medical rooms and recreation areas.

The report said the building was in a state of disrepair and the roof was falling in.

It said: “The existing building is in a poor condition following occupation by previous tenants and has been vacant for some time.

“The proposed scheme has been carefully designed to be sympathetic to the existing layout of the building, whilst incorporating newer additions which enable the scheme to work.”

The proposal was supported by West Leeds Amateur Rugby League Football Club (ARLFC), which is based next to the building.

In response to a public consultation, the club said: “At West Leeds ARLFC we are at the heart of the community and bring many families to our community rugby club.

“This proposed project could improve our own club as we have aspirations to run some sports programs for disabled people.”

Read more about WLDcoverage of the building and its grounds here.

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