Otley Run restaurant fails in bar bid

A venue near the start of Leeds' famous Otley Run pub crawl has been refused retrospective planning permission to operate as a bar.

Taylor's Sports Bar and Grill, on Otley Road in Headingley, had applied to Leeds City Council for permission to change its use from a restaurant to a bar with expanded food provision and an outdoor decked seating area.

Taylor's opened in 2023 close to the beginning of the 2.5-mile pub crawl popular with students, stag and hen parties, and other weekend revellers.

General manager Donovan Ather said the business was "very disappointed" by the decision and had instructed consultants to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

The decision comes more than a year after the venue secured changes to its premises licence allowing it to serve more customers.

Planning documents show opinion over the application was divided.

The council received 107 letters supporting the proposals and 160 objections from residents and local organisations.

Supporters said the business was a community asset that sponsored local sports teams and provided free Christmas dinners for pensioners.

One said Taylor's was "a community hub where people can meet up safely", adding that the outdoor decking area was "a lovely addition".

However, objectors argued the venue had worsened pressures already associated with the Otley Run.

The route, which takes in 19 venues between Headingley and Leeds city centre, has attracted criticism in recent years over anti-social behaviour linked to drinking.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said among those raising concerns were Weetwood Labour councillors Julie Heselwood, Emma Flint and Izaak Wilson, who cited issues including overcrowding, noise, litter and drunken behaviour.

One objector said levels of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour were "totally unprecedented in this area" and were an "outstanding example of the harm that is being done to Headingley and its residents".

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said the retrospective application for change of use and associated alterations had been refused and that the authority was considering enforcement action.

The council said the refusal did not automatically require the venue to stop trading and would not automatically affect its licence to sell alcohol.

The authority added that the applicant had the right to appeal against the decision.

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