PLANS have been drawn up for the conversion of a listed building in Leeds city centre into a backpackers’ hostel.
A company called R3 and Son is seeking permission from Leeds City Council for the scheme at the site on Queen Square, off Clay Pit Lane.
Should its proposals get the go-ahead, the vacant Grade II listed building – formerly used as office premises – would become a hostel with four dormitories.
The firm says the maximum stay would be seven nights and expects many of its guests to be international students who need a base while looking for permanent accommodation in Leeds.
A statement submitted as part of R3 and Son’s planning application to the council says: “The hostel use is one which is not currently represented in [Leeds city centre].
“The applicants have gone to great lengths to identify the appropriate location for the hostel use, which would be near the universities and within the city centre.”
The statement also says that the scheme should bring added “activity and vitality” to the area.