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Search the Public Notice Portal AN appeal against the decision to block plans to convert an empty live music venue in York has gone to a hearing.
The Planning Inspectorate hearing into applications for the Victoria Vaults venue, in Nunnery Lane, went to a hearing on Tuesday, August 25.
Developer Nabeel Hanif said his plans to convert the empty venue into a café would see it kept open for public use.
But City of York Council planning committee chair Cllr Jonny Crawshaw said venues should only be redeveloped as a last resort as campaigners have called for Victoria Vaults to be saved.
A planning inspector is set to rule on the developer’s appeal over refusal of the café plans and another over the non-determination of a separate application for three homes there.
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Victoria Vaults hosted Bez from The Happy Mondays, Blondie drummer Clem Burke, goth discos, poetry readings and several other rock, pop and reggae acts prior to closing in December 2024.
Planning documents stated it closed after losing considerable sums of money and a £25,000-a-year lease is currently being marketed by Barry Crux.
The council’s Labour finance spokesperson Cllr Katie Lomas approved York’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch’s application to designate it an Asset of Community Value (ACV) on Tuesday, August 11.
ACV status gives eligible groups the chance to come forward with bids to buy a building if its owner decides to sell it.
Nick Love, of York CAMRA, told August’s council hearing there was an overwhelming case to list Victoria Vaults as an ACV due to it furthering social wellbeing and cultural interests.
But Mr Hanif said the venue had been de-listed as an ACV in November 2025 and no offers to buy the building had been made before he purchased it.
Victoria Vaults, in Nunnery Lane, York. Picture is from LDRS, available for all LDRS partners to use.
Cllr Lomas told the hearing interest shown in taking the venue on showed there was a realistic prospect of it being brought back into use.
The executive member added the planning process had been a challenging and drawn-out process for everyone involved.
Mr Hanif said when his appeal was lodged the council’s refusal of the café plans was inconsistent with a decision to approve a similar conversion of a pub in April.
Council planning officers gave the go ahead to an application to convert the Murton Arms, in Murton, into a café.
He also took issue with council Labour culture spokesperson and local Micklegate ward councillor Pete Kilbane’s objections to the plans.
But Cllr Crawshaw, who is also a Labour ward councillor for Micklegate which is home to Victoria Vaults, said policies designed to protect community facilities and cultural venues had been appropriately applied.
He added refusal had sent a clear message that the value of cultural venues could not solely be measured in pounds and pence.
A council spokesperson said they made decisions based on a range of considerations and the refusal was fair and consistent with its policies.