Funding approved to transform public spaces outside city landmark
Leeds City Council’s executive board has approved funding to improve the area directly outside the city’s Corn Exchange building.
In September 2020, it was confirmed the council had secured £8.6m of match funding from the Government’s Getting Building Fund which would be added to Leeds’ £12.2m Grey to Green programme.
The money was specifically allocated to support the delivery of infrastructure projects to boost economic growth, and fuel local recovery and jobs.
A share of the cash will now go towards radically transforming the space close to the Corn Exchange.
The scheme will see street trees planted, safe routes through for cyclists, and crossing points designed to assist pedestrians, in particular those with disabilities.
Construction will be carried out by John Sisk & Son and is set to start in May 2021. It will run alongside the ongoing gateway scheme which is being carried out by Connecting Leeds.
Leeds City Council is also set to enter into a lease with the Corn Exchange and its owners Rushbond in a bid to create a new ‘Pavilion-like’ area in the public space outside the building which is proposed to be used for outdoor functions, shops and cafes. This is subject to further planning approvals.
Rushbond has worked with the council to develop the proposals. And to support this they are proposing a significant capital injection of funding into the scheme.
This public realm improvement complements a further three projects in Leeds, which are:
Meadow Lane green space – a gateway to the City Park
Sovereign Square footbridge
Crown Point Road reconfiguration and greening
Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said: “I am delighted to have taken this scheme through approval today and I am looking forward to seeing the transformation of this historic gateway into our city centre.
“The Corn Exchange is a Grade 1 listed, iconic Leeds landmark that is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful buildings in our city.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Corn Exchange to be re-anchored in to a welcoming, greener public open space guided by the ‘Our Spaces Strategy’.
“The proposed Corn Exchange Pavilion, which will require planning permission to take forward, will add public amenity to the space transforming it into a place for residents and visitors of all ages in the city to meet.”
Dave Hill, regional director at John Sisk & Son, said: “This is an exciting project that we’re delighted to be constructing as part of the ongoing improvements to the Corn Exchange and surrounding areas.
“The public realm will further enhance the Corn Exchange and will be enjoyed by residents and visitors to Leeds for many years.”
