Next phase of multi-million pound mixed use development is unveiled

A public consultation has been launched to engage with residents about the first phase of residential development at the £400m Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds.

Residents can visit www.givemyview.com/kirkstallforge to find out more and comment on the proposals.

When complete, the scheme will provide a total of 213 homes, including 77 houses offering three to five-bedroom family living, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, alongside new apartments.

Just north of the river, two apartment buildings are also proposed, each set over nine floors with upper floors set back.

Designed by residential architecture firm, Cartwright Pickard, they will provide 136 studios to three-bed apartments with 1,350 sq m of leisure and retail space on the ground floor. They will be set around amenity space, a new public plaza and pocket park.

Developer CEG secured Reserved Matters (detailed) planning permission for 135 homes last year and built two prototype homes.

This housing design remains unchanged in the new application, but with four less homes this has enabled the two apartment buildings to be redesigned.

James Shimwell, head of residential development at CEG explains: “As well as family housing, the proposals now include build for rent apartments which will bring new residents onto site very quickly, expanding the vibrant community at Kirkstall Forge.

“With shops, leisure facilities and food and drink outlets on the ground floor, they are set around a public plaza and pocket park for pop up events, outdoor screenings and exercise classes.

“Our consultation seeks ideas for these activities as well as the opportunity to comment on the proposals and we welcome feedback.

“This site has an 800-year history and we’ve sought to reflect this heritage in both our residential and commercial builds.

“In regenerating Kirkstall Forge we have always sought to create a social and integrated community and we are looking forward to progressing the next stage of the journey.”

Peter Cartwright, founding director at Cartwright Pickard, said: “This first phase of homes for rent at Kirkstall Forge contributes to the overall aim of the masterplan to create a new community that provides better choices for those living, working and or looking to move to the city.

“Using materials which complement the wider masterplan, we have sought to celebrate the industrial heritage of the Forge using high-quality materials that will weather well, grow old gracefully and contribute to our strategy to minimise the building’s whole life cost.”

The 57-acre site is already home to the Number One Kirkstall Forge offices and Butler’s deli restaurant, a new railway station and the two prototype homes.

Ultimately, Kirkstall Forge will provide up to 1,450 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.