PLANNERS have approved the re-development of a vacant, Grade II city centre building.

RS Virdee has been granted permission to refurbish the ground floor of 43 Darley Street, opposite the Kirkgate Centre, currently empty shops, including the former Millets.

He already had permission to turn upper floors into nine flats, and now his application for new shop fronts has also been approved.

The plans reveal the new units will be an RSPCA shop and a business called Darley Boutique.

Planners said: “The development is considered to represent a significant improvement to the character and appearance of this prominent listed building in the City Centre Conservation Area.”

The building dates back to the 1870s.