University’s £75m development gets the green light

Leeds Beckett University has secured planning permission for its £75m Creative Arts building.

The 14,500 sq m development will be a base for the Northern Film School, music, performing arts and fashion students.

The proposed building, designed by Hawkins\Brown in conjunction with development partner Downing Developments will be home to nearly 2,000 students and staff, who are currently spread across various separate locations in the city.

Andrew Fryer, Dean of the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts at Leeds Beckett, said: “The Creative Arts building will provide a home for our creative community of academics, students, researchers and practitioners, with spaces full of character that draw on Leeds Beckett University’s heritage for diverse learning skills opportunities. At the centre of the building will be innovative learning spaces, which will allow students and staff from the school to collaborate in new and dynamic ways.

“We want this to be a centrepiece for the growing cultural landscape of Leeds, a part of the City’s European Capital of Culture 2023 bid and a place to meet, drop by or simply visit because it’s just a great place to be.”

The building, located at the edge of the Civic Quarter of Leeds, is bordered by Downing’s Central Campus Development to the North and Leeds General Infirmary to the West.

Work on site will begin end of 2017, with completion estimated to be in 2020.