New hotel alongside city market approved

Plans to build a Premier Inn alongside Leeds' Kirkgate Market have been unanimously approved by city councillors.

The 143-bed hotel is set to be built on George Street after planning permission was granted for the venture.

It is hoped the site will inject more life into the eastern quarter of the city centre and increase footfall at the market.

A row of vacant shops will be demolished to make way for the development.

The scheme will feature a council-run gym on the ground floor, alongside up to five other commercial units.

A restaurant and bar is likely to be built into the first floor of what will be a six-storey building.

The George Street entrance to the market will also be refurbished and modernised with a new glass front.

Speaking at a city plans panel meeting where the proposals were approved, Labour councillor Asghar Khan said the scheme was the "missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle" for the surrounding area.

"I think this development will be remarkable for the area and really uplift it," he said.

"I do welcome it and it will be a good development, for the market and for the local area also."

Conservative councillor Barry Anderson expressed concerns about the impact on traffic around George Street, but he too backed the scheme.

Mr Anderson said: "Despite my concerns, I do think this is a good use of that particular site. It will bring it to life.

"The Premier Inn will be good for the area and it's something that's probably needed.

"The negatives are far outweighed by the positives in general terms."

Previous proposals to build a hotel on George Street were approved in 2018, but eventually came to nothing, with planning permission lapsing three years later.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.