Plans unveiled for new £15m Leeds retail park
A DISUSED brownfield site in Leeds has been earmarked for a £15m retail development that could create 140 jobs.
Lidl and B&M Homestore are at the heart of plans for the scheme in Middleton, on the former Benyon centre site which has been bought through a joint venture between property companies CDP Marshall and Rothstone Estates from previous owner Tesco.
It will be transformed into a new retail destination called St George’s Retail Park.
Mark Rothery from Rothstone said: “This is a major brownfield site that has been unused for many years. Our plans represent a significant investment into the local area and will provide many new jobs at every level in each store, while delivering more shopping choice for local residents.
“Before any planning application is submitted we will be consulting widely with the community in Middleton and Belle Isle and would encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this and attend our public exhibition sessions.”
He added: “It’s a key gateway site and we believe that St George’s Retail Park will raise the profile, and footfall, for the Middleton District Centre.”
Initial consultation on the plans will take place later this month.
Public exhibition sessions will be held today (September 19) between 3pm-7pm at St George’s One Stop Centre on St George’s Road and at St John and St Barnabus Church Hall on Belle Isle Road on September 22, also between 3pm and 7pm.
Along with the 26,620 sq ft Lidl store and 25,000 sq ft, B&M Home store, there will also be six other shop units of varying sizes as part of the plans.
Previously the site had been earmarked for a Tesco store and it has been vacant for over 10 years with the buildings on the land demolished in 2011.
