Plans to transform Leeds waterfront set to get green light

Senior councillors in Leeds will be asked next week to approve the creation of a £100,000 fund to help transform the waterfront of the city centre, with culture being placed at the heart of its future.

The meeting of Leeds City Council’s executive board, to be held at Civic Hall on Wednesday 27 June, will be asked to formally endorse the Waterfront Charter put forward by the Leeds Chamber of Commerce and partners, which aims to help the waterfront area achieve its cultural and economic potential.

The group said that key to the proposals was partnership working, with landowners along the River Aire through the city centre and South Bank being encouraged to sign up to the charter which would see all stakeholders commit to working together for the benefit of the waterfront area and city as a whole.

The council is proposing to establish a Waterfront Investment Fund of up to £100,000 to offer grant funding for activities to enhance the waterfront by making it more accessible and attractive. The fund is expected to begin later this year. Any successful bid would need to at least be match-funded by the applicants.

Tim Waring, director at planning consultants Quod and Chair of the Chamber’s Waterfront Group, said: “With more development coming forward in South Bank Leeds, the river and canal network will, in the future, be right in the heart of the city centre. Over the past year or so, we have seen a good level of commitment to improving and activating the waterfront, and this has set a strong foundation for everybody with an interest in the waterfront, to take responsibility and respond to this ‘call to action’.

“We are hoping that more businesses (owners and occupiers) will commit to the charter and do their bit to make the waterfront a key part of our city.”

The plan would support the delivery of the council’s inclusive growth strategy through stimulating economic development, as well as the Cultural Strategy by making the most of public spaces and providing a platform for the 2023 cultural programme in the city.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said: “We are firmly committed to now looking at how we can maximise the opportunities offered on and alongside the River Aire, which running through the heart of our city is a wonderful natural asset which up to now has been underutilised as a resource to make our city more attractive, welcoming and prosperous.”