ONE of Otley's oldest established social clubs could be on the move from its 100-year-old home.

The Conservative Club - known affectionately as the 'Con Club' to its 230-odd members - has outgrown its premises at the bottom of Market Street and is poised to take over an empty town centre unit just 100 yards away.

Members have made two applications to Leeds City Council's planning department to propose a change of use at the former Mill Trading store, Market Place, to a food and drink outlet, and a second bid to change the shop into a social club.

Otley councillor Gerard Francis, a member of the Conservative Social Club, said the move was being made for a number of reasons.

"We need more space - we are very busy at the moment and some nights the club is absolutely at its limit," he said.

"We cannot expand here and we cannot take any more people so we need to move. The new premises would also give better access for disabled and elderly people who have got two flights of stairs to climb here."

In its new home, the Conservative Club's lounge and bar would be on the ground floor, making access easier for older members. The beer cellar and snooker tables would take up the ground floor and a function or committee room would be situated on the first floor.

But the move has been stalled by members of the council's plans west sub-committee who delayed their decision last week to seek more information about the plan.

Ward councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale), a member of the sub-committee, said: "We felt there was not sufficient information provided about the ground floor shop. The decision was deferred in order for those details to be considered."

The meeting heard there had been objections to the move, with concerns raised over parking, the loss of a town centre retail outlet and potential disturbance from late-night opening hours.

But officers, who recommended the bid for approval by planning bosses, said it was felt that a social club on the site would not cause problems.

A spokesman said: "It is essentially the relocation of an existing club and it is in principle a good location for this type of use.

"It is considered that the loss of the unit would not have any adverse impact on the retail nature of the town centre."

Coun Francis said he had met with a planning officer on Tuesday to go over details of the interior plans, which include maintaining the unit's windows. "We discussed seating and what we planned to have in the building," he added.

"I feel quietly confident that we will get permission - I have answered all the points put to me by the planning officer."

Should the move go ahead, Coun Francis said the Conservative Club would sell or rent its current building for offices or possibly housing.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.