A planning application has been lodged with Leeds City Council regarding the former Fulton’s frozen food premises situated in Otley’s town centre at 1-9 Market Place.
Numu Properties Ltd, represented by Azhar Hussain, is pursuing permission to restore the vacant structure through a programme of internal modifications, enhanced accessibility measures and external renovation works.
The submission seeks consent to alter the second floor from its existing Class C3 residential classification to Class E commercial use, enabling the entire property to function as office accommodation falling within the same category.
The scheme would repurpose all four levels, including the basement, ground, first and second floors, as office facilities.
While the majority of the structure already satisfies Class E requirements, formal approval is necessary because the uppermost floor retains an historic residential planning consent.
According to the planning documentation, the development would accommodate a reception zone, conference facilities and workspace across the upper levels, with ancillary amenities and storage occupying the basement area.
The proposal would generate accommodation for 48 workstations in total.
No extensions or structural alterations are included in the scheme.
The applicant has concentrated efforts on renovating the present structure, with preliminary activities already in progress.
Externally, the scheme encompasses the removal and replacement of weathered white render using matching materials and the application of fresh white paint to the property.
The existing blue aluminium ground-floor display would be renewed maintaining its current style and colour scheme.
Signage associated with the previous frozen food business would be dismantled and substituted with more conventional lettering.
The majority of windows on upper levels would undergo replacement matching existing specifications in terms of dimensions and aesthetic.
The structure occupies a position within the Otley Town Centre Conservation Area but holds no listed status.
Planning materials indicate that the scheme has been developed to maintain the property’s visual character and its positive contribution to the historic streetscape while eliminating visible corporate branding.
The submission additionally incorporates provisions to enhance accessibility.
An elevator would be restored through utilisation of an existing vertical transportation shaft, while level or inclined access would be preserved at the main entrance and a disabled-accessible lavatory would be established on the ground floor.
Planning materials assert that the development would introduce employees and visitors to the central commercial district, supporting existing enterprises and boosting pedestrian activity along Market Place.
The application is available for examination via the Leeds City Council Planning Portal under reference 26/04808/FU, with public consultation remaining open until September 24.