New station set for south Leeds
Leeds City Council has granted planning permission for a new proposed White Rose Railway Station to improve connectivity in the south of the city.
The project, first proposed in 2018 provides an example of how private and public sector collaboration can speed up the delivery of large infrastructure projects. Being delivered through a partnership between Munroe K, the owners of White Rose Office Park, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, and Network Rail.
It is hoped that the station will give better opportunities for people to access jobs at the White Rose Office Park – which was recently selected by global sports streaming service DAZN as home to its UK headquarters. Alongside this, the investment aims to also improve connectivity to White Rose Shopping Centre and Millshaw Industrial Estate.
In addition to a new two story rail station, the project also includes new footpaths and cycleways to connect nearby communities including Beeston, Cottingley and Churwell.
Speaking about the development, David Aspin, owner of Munroe K, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted to build the railway station that will undoubtedly improve the transport connections both within south Leeds and the wider city.
“Our partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and Network Rail has helped to make this proposal become reality. It is a testament to how collaboration can help to make significant progress in providing better connectivity in Leeds and the North. Munroe K is also thankful for the support of its joint owner, a fund advised by Orion Capital Managers and its finance partner Lloyds Bank.”
The project is part of the ongoing Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, which aims to increase the speed which infrastructure projects such as this station go from concept to delivery and demonstrates the positive impact of cooperation between the private and public sectors can have in the north of England.
Cllr Kim Groves, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “This new station serving the White Rose Office Park will result in improved transport links across the area and will act as a catalyst for local regeneration and housing growth, economic activity and jobs in the surrounding area. It will help transform South Leeds and provide new opportunities for the communities of Cottingley, Churwell, Millshaw and Morley.
“Rail stations play an important role in supporting the local economy, linking people to vital services and opportunities and achieving our environmental commitments.”
Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “Having shovel-ready infrastructure projects such as the White Rose Railway Station is vital as we begin to stoke the fires of economic growth across the region following the coronavirus pandemic. The collaboration between those involved demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sector in delivering core infrastructure schemes.
“As our region looks toward the future, projects such as this will have a catalytic impact in attracting more high calibre businesses to the South Leeds geography, creating aspirational employment opportunities and drawing further talent to the area.”
The station is currently planned to open during 2022.
