The developer behind plans to convert an empty York live music venue has called on the council to make a decision while claiming a return to community use is unrealistic.
Nabeel Hanif, the owner of the Victoria Vaults building, said a ruling on plans to convert it into homes and a café was needed without further unnecessary delays.
The developer also claimed there were no sound legal reasons for refusing the applications and accused local ward councillors of dismissing evidence that the venue was not viable.
But campaigners and local ward councillors said the much-loved venue was still needed for music and pub lovers and claimed the marketing of it had been disingenuous.
It comes as two separate applications to convert the building into three homes and turn its ground floor into a café have been lodged and are awaiting a council decision.
They follow the removal of Asset of Community Value (ACV) status for the Nunnery Lane venue which closed after losing considerable sums of money, according to planning documents.
The status which is typically granted to cultural, sports and recreational venues was awarded in December 2024, the same month the venue closed.
Victoria Vaults has hosted artists including Bez from The Happy Mondays and Blondie drummer Clem Burke, along with goth discos, poetry readings and several other rock, pop and reggae acts.
Mr Hanif said he now expected council planning officers to promptly rule on the applications for the homes and café, lodged in August and September respectively.
He added comments from Labour Micklegate ward councillor Pete Kilbane saying he would call in an approval of the application, were an attempt to intervene in decision-making.
Mr Hanif said: “There is no realistic prospect of continued community use at the site, marketing material has been available to the authority for a substantial period.
“Decisions on these applications must be taken by officers independently, political aspiration, anecdote or preference for a particular outcome are not lawful bases for decision-making.
“Given the length of time these applications have now been under consideration, we expect them to be determined without further unnecessary delay.”
Cllr Kilbane told planning officers potential tenants were holding off on putting in offers for the venue until a decision on the applications are made, creating a Catch 22.
He added interested parties would not make a bid until the use class was resolved and claimed advertising such properties to let was used by developers as a smoke screen.
In an objection to the plans, York CAMRA said the venue should be reopened so it can go on playing a pivotal role in the local area and the city while being run successfully and viably.
The CAMRA branch said: “There are many examples where a failing business is taken over by a new owner and made to be successful.
“We have been in conversation with a music venue operator who states that the venue could be run at a profit.”
The building which hosted the venue, also known as York Vaults, first opened as a pub 160 years ago.
Planning documents stated the venue closed despite operating on a reduced lease of £17,500-a-year and receiving a £90,000 Government grant during the coronavirus pandemic.
They added the venue had failed to attract offers from potential tenants or buyers since it closed.
Estate agents Barry Crux are currently marketing the lease on the building’s ground floor for £25,000-a-year.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands several parties were weighing potential bids for the building late last year.
