The New Inn, Drighlington

Application to demolish a pub that sits between Morley and Drighlington:

Another old Victorian Pub succombs to housing pressures in the Motorway belt to the south of Leeds.

The pub, shown on Victorian maps, closed last year. This isn’t really enough time to suggest there is now no demand for a public house in the area. No evidence to suggest it has been marketed as a pub is attached to the application. The national planning policy framework clearly states that Council’s should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities such as pubs. Can’t get clearer than that.

At the very least, the developer could retain the building and find another commercial use, allowing the option for the pub to reopen at a later date. The replacement four story building is not really appropriate for the rural location, and will generate another 8 to 16 vehicle movements by commuters into Leeds each day.