George Street Leeds hotel and apartment plan on hold

The development, seen here in an artist's impression, was given planning permission in September 2018

Plans to build a multi-million pound hotel and apartment block in Leeds city centre have been put on hold after the developer pulled out.

Planning permission was granted for the project on George Street, opposite the Victoria Gate shopping centre, in 2018, partly funded by Leeds City Council.

A block of traders at the adjoining Leeds Kirkgate Market had already been moved in preparation for construction.

Leeds City Council said it was keen to proceed if funding could be secured.

The scheme, led by Leeds-based developer Town Centre Securities, was for nine ground floor shops and 126 hotel rooms and apartments over six floors.

The firm's latest accounts show it has written off £800,000 in development costs and decided not to proceed.

Several traders were moved due to the development, including the 50-year-old Fisherman's Wife fish and chip shop

In a statement, Town Centre Securities said: "As a listed company, we have to make certain disclosures on our costs, however the nature of the detailed discussions with the council with regard to George Street are private and we will not be making any further comment on this matter."

Leeds City Council said it retained ownership of the site, which has "increased in value" due to planning permission being secured.

"We have invested £430,000 to secure vacant possession and the relocation of tenants affected by the George Street development," a spokesperson said.

"Our focus going forward is to continue to plan for the redevelopment of the site which will not require any monies to be written off."

Lisa Stebbings (l) said there has been a lack of communication between the council and traders

After the decision was made to remove traders to make way for the new development, shop owners accused market bosses of "playing with people's livelihoods".

The council said it had worked on alternative arrangements with tenants for a number of years.

Lisa Stebbings, who represents outdoor traders at Leeds Kirkgate Market, said: "People left, didn't come back, people had to rebuild their businesses in different areas just to be moved again two years later to build the businesses back up.

"There's a lot of upset and anger with the traders at the moment, especially when they read on the council website that it has been discussed with traders and no trader has been spoken to."

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