Plan for small plate bar in former HSBC and Costa in Leyburn

North Yorkshire Council has received a change-of-use application for the former HSBC bank in Leyburn High Street.

The building has been renovated in recent years, with flats created on the upper floors and a nail and beauty salon opening in the building.

Previously, a Costa Coffee branch operated in the premises following the closure of the bank in 2017.

Supporting documents submitted with the application state: “This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of a former bank building to a
small-scale bar with ancillary small plate warm food provision.

“The proposal represents an appropriate and sustainable re-use of a historic town-centre building.”

The applicant, Stephen Bennett, says that the venue would have a maximum capacity of 40 people.

The opening hours would be from noon until 10.30am.

There would be low-level background music only, with no external seating and no live music or events.

“The proposal is considered compliant with planning policy and is respectfully recommended for approval,” the supporting document concludes.

Environmental health officers have asked for more information on the plans for serving food and whether an extraction or ventilation system would be needed.

They have also asked for a noise impact assessment to demonstrate how noise from the venue would be controlled to prevent any disturbance on residents of the flats above.