Music Lab Moortown: Relocation, Appeal and the Road Ahead

Dear Music Lab Community,

We want to share the full story of what’s happening at Music Lab Moortown. This isn’t the kind of update we wanted to write. However, after months of council pressure, planning disputes, and enforcement notices, we owe you complete honesty and clarity.

The Beginning of Our Journey

This entire situation started with something quite ordinary: a noise complaint.

As a music school, we know sound is part of what we do. However, we also take our neighbors seriously. When the complaint was raised, we accepted it in good faith. We immediately began planning to soundproof the rooms. Our intention was simple: to find a balance where students could continue lessons without disruption, and neighbors could enjoy peace of mind.

Had this remained a conversation about soundproofing, it would already be resolved. But instead of working with us constructively, the council escalated the matter into a planning battle.

(Watch this if you prefer video...)

Transition from Noise to Planning Enforcement

The council decided that the issue wasn’t just about noise. They claimed that our use of the building at 388 Harrogate Road falls under the wrong planning “use class.”

To explain:

• Since September 2020, most commercial and community uses were grouped into a new category called Use Class E. This covers shops, nurseries, tuition centers, gyms, offices, and many other activities. Businesses within Class E can usually move between these uses without applying for new permission.

• At the same time, the government created Class F1, which covers formal, statutory education — things like schools, colleges, universities, libraries, and museums.

  
  

Music Lab is clearly not a statutory school. We are a tuition service, like a tutoring center, a nursery, or an after-school club. We provide structured, optional lessons chosen by families, not compulsory schooling. That puts us squarely within Class E.

Yet the council insists we should be treated as Class F1. They are effectively treating us like a full-time secondary school or college, rather than what we actually are: a private music school offering supplementary lessons.

The Financial Barrier We Face

Instead of supporting us to resolve the noise issue, the council demanded that we submit a full planning application to “change” our use. The fee for such an application is nearly £750+ just to process, before we even consider legal advice, consultants, or appeals. For a small, independent organization, this is not just excessive — it is punitive.

This is on top of the other financial pressures we’ve faced at Moortown:

• Business rates increasing by nearly 400%.

• Utility bills jumping from around £150/month to over £1,000/month.

• Additional landlord pressure and neighbor complaints.

  
  

Operating under these conditions has become not just difficult but impossible.

Our Formal Appeal

We have not taken this lying down. We have submitted a formal appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, and crucially, that appeal has been validated. This means it is legally recognized and under active consideration.

Our case is based on strong grounds:

1. Use Class E is correct: Music Lab delivers structured tuition, not statutory education. This fits firmly within Class E, the same as nurseries and tuition centers.

2. No material change of use: The building has not changed in structure or purpose. We haven’t converted a café into a nightclub — we’ve simply offered lessons, just as we’ve always done.

3. Precedent matters: Dozens of music and tutoring centers across Leeds operate under Class E with no issue. Singling us out is inconsistent and unfair.

4. Enforcement during appeal is improper: The council continues to act as though the appeal doesn’t exist, sending enforcement letters and pressure. This goes against the spirit of fair process.

5. We sought compromise: We offered solutions (like soundproofing), but the council chose force instead of dialogue.

   
   

We firmly believe the council’s stance is unlawful, disproportionate, and unnecessary, and we will continue to fight it.

What This Means in Practice

While the appeal runs its course, the council has left us no option but to vacate our Moortown site. From October 1st, Music Lab will no longer operate at 388 Harrogate Road.

To minimize disruption, we have already secured two temporary venues in North Leeds:

• House of Mook Studios (Meanwood)

• Stainbeck Community Hall (Chapel Allerton)

  
  

These spaces will host many of our existing classes until we can secure a permanent new home. In addition, members who choose to continue their lessons at our South Leeds (Beeston) branch will receive discounts.

What This Means for Our Members

We want to be absolutely clear:

• No member will ever pay for lessons they cannot attend. If we cannot accommodate your lessons temporarily, your payments will be paused until you can resume.

• Not every student can continue in the exact same way immediately. Space is limited, and timetables may change. We know this is disruptive, and we are deeply sorry.

• Over the coming days, our team will contact every member individually with your options: whether that’s moving to a temporary North Leeds venue, transferring to South Leeds with a discount, or pausing until a permanent solution is secured.

  
  

Looking Forward: Our Commitment to You

This is a frustrating, exhausting moment — but it is not the end of Music Lab North Leeds.

We are more determined than ever to:

• Fight our appeal and challenge the council’s unfair position.

• Secure a permanent, stable home in North Leeds where we can grow without constant obstacles.

• Continue delivering on our mission: making music education inspiring, accessible, and consistent for children and adults alike.

  
  

Music Lab has always been about community — not bricks and mortar. With your support, we will overcome this chapter, rebuild stronger, and ensure that North Leeds has a music school it can be proud of for many years to come.

Thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,

Joao Figueiredo

Director, Music Lab