Wharfedale Inn Redevelopment Plans Lodged in Arthington, Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Planning Application Lodged: An application has been submitted to Leeds City Council seeking permission to redevelop the disused Wharfedale Inn in Arthington into commercial office space and business premises.
• Proposed Business Use: The applicant, Wharfedale Inn Estates Ltd, is acting on behalf of landscape design and construction firm PWP Landscapes Ltd, which intends to use the site for office, administrative, and supply storage functions.
• Structural Scope: The scheme includes converting the ground floor into approximately 384 square metres of office space, retaining two upper-floor flats, creating an 80-square-metre storage extension, and adapting outbuildings into storage and small business units.
• Site History: The former coaching inn has been closed since at least June 2019 and was marketed unsuccessfully to potential public house operators for more than six years before being acquired in late 2025.
• Consultation Window: Members of the public can submit comments regarding the proposal to Leeds City Council during the ongoing statutory consultation period, which runs until August 12.

Arthington (The Leeds Times) July 25, 2026 – A derelict former public house site in the Wharfe Valley could be brought back into active commercial use if newly submitted plans are approved by Leeds City Council.Wharfedale Inn Estates Ltd has formally applied for a change of use and alterations to the Wharfedale Inn, situated on Arthington Lane in Arthington, near Otley.

Under the proposed plans, the ground floor of the vacant venue would be converted into office space, alongside extensions and outbuilding adaptations to accommodate a regional landscape design and construction firm.

What Are The Key Details Of The Wharfedale Inn Redevelopment Proposal?

As reported by local news outlets covering West Yorkshire planning developments, including the Bradford Telegraph and Argus and the Ilkley Gazette, the planning application outlines a comprehensive repurposing of the 1.4-acre site.

The primary applicant, Wharfedale Inn Estates Ltd, submitted the proposal on behalf of PWP Landscapes Ltd. The company intends to relocate its operational bases to the site, utilising the facilities for design teams, corporate administration, product storage, and construction staff welfare.

According to planning documents lodged with Leeds City Council under reference application details, the change of use scheme encompasses:

• Conversion of the ground floor public house area into approximately 384 square metres of office accommodation.
• Conversion of existing outbuildings along the eastern boundary into storage space and small business units.
• Retention of two existing residential flats located on the upper floors of the main building.
• Construction of a single-storey extension providing a new office entrance lobby, alongside an 80-square-metre storage extension to the outbuildings.

Why Did The Wharfedale Inn Close And Why Is A Conversion Proposed Now?

As detailed in the design and access statement submitted to the local authority, the Wharfedale Inn ceased trading on or before June 2019. Following its closure, the building was placed on the market by successive owners for a period exceeding six years in an effort to find prospective public house operators.

These marketing efforts yielded no viable commercial operators willing to re-open the venue as a licensed pub.

The current owner acquired the property towards the end of 2025. Documents submitted to Leeds City Council state that the appearance of the disused property had become “very poor”, with the wider site overgrown and untended for an extended period.

Prior to submitting full planning documents, the applicant undertook emergency stabilization works, securing the site against trespassers and repairing structural water damage caused by burst pipework during cold weather spells.

What Specific Structural And Exterior Changes Are Outlined In The Planning Application?

As reported by the Ilkley Gazette, the architectural plans emphasize retaining much of the historic character of the building while restoring degraded external elements.

The proposed conversion involves predominantly internal alterations to form the open-plan and cellular office spaces. External works focus on repair and maintenance, including:

• Cleaning and repointing exterior stonework and render.
• Restoring damaged slate roofing, rainwater goods, and window frames.
• Preserving original leaded window features on the front elevation facing Arthington Lane wherever structurally feasible.

The site layout retains the existing access point from Arthington Lane and utilizes the former pub car park for employee and operational vehicle parking.

How Can Members Of The Public Participate In The Planning Consultation?

Leeds City Council has formally logged the full planning application and opened the public consultation process.

Local residents, parish councils, and interested parties may view the submitted plans, floor drawings, and heritage impact statements online through the Leeds City Council Public Access planning portal or in person at Merrion House in Leeds.

As confirmed in the council’s public notification release, written representations and formal comments regarding the application will be accepted until August 12.

Following the closure of the consultation window, a council planning officer will assess the proposal against local planning policy framework requirements before issuing a final decision.

What Is The Background Of The Wharfedale Inn Development Site?

The Wharfedale Inn stands as a prominent former coaching inn located along Arthington Lane (A659), positioning it near the boundary of Pool-in-Wharfedale within the lower Wharfe Valley. Historically, the location served as a stopping point along key transport routes through Yorkshire, with parts of the structure dating back across two centuries.

Sales particulars previously published by WTS Property Consultants describe the property as a two-storey detached stone building set within a plot of 1.4 acres.

Prior to its closure, the venue possessed a total ground floor gross internal area of approximately 6,921 square feet, with seating capacity for around 150 internal covers, a trade garden overlooking the Wharfe Valley accommodating 50 covers, and dedicated customer parking for approximately 50 vehicles.

Although located within the designated West Yorkshire Green Belt, the site is not a Grade II listed building, nor does it sit directly within a designated conservation area boundary.

However, due to its prominent roadside elevation and historic presence in Arthington, local community groups and parish authorities have long monitored the condition of the disused landmark.

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What Does This Proposed Conversion Mean For The Local Community And Local Businesses?

If approved by Leeds City Council planning officers, the conversion of the Wharfedale Inn from a derelict public house into commercial offices is anticipated to have several distinct impacts on the local community, property landscape, and economic ecosystem in the lower Wharfe Valley.

The primary outcome of the development will be the introduction of regular commercial employment to a rural site that has sat idle for over seven years.

By consolidating administrative, design, and construction support staff at Arthington Lane, PWP Landscapes Ltd will bring skilled workers to the immediate area.

Local retail businesses, convenience stores, and dining establishments in nearby Pool-in-Wharfedale and Otley may see increased daytime footfall and trade from office personnel.

From an environmental and aesthetic perspective, the restoration proposal addresses a long-standing visual blight on Arthington Lane.

The physical repairs to damaged roofs, windows, and exterior rendering, alongside the clearing of overgrown grounds, will improve the visual entrance to the village. Furthermore, converting the site into office space rather than a high-density residential estate preserves the physical structure of the historic coaching inn.

For residents of Arthington and surrounding hamlets, the formal change of use marks the permanent loss of a traditional public house and social gathering venue.

However, given that six years of active marketing failed to attract a commercial pub operator, local planners will weigh the permanent loss of the hospitality space against the pragmatic benefit of restoring a dilapidated structure for employment use.

Vehicle movements associated with office operations typically follow structured peak-hour patterns (morning arrival and late-afternoon departure), contrasting with the evening and weekend traffic flows generated by a 150-cover pub and restaurant.

Local residents along Arthington Lane will monitor how commercial deliveries and construction vehicles access the 80-square-metre storage area to ensure highway safety remains uncompromised along the A659.