Plans to develop hundreds of student flats in former council offices

A pair of listed buildings in central Leeds could accommodate 476 student bedrooms if planners agree.

Proposals have been lodged to redevelop both the Leonardo Building and Thoresby House which previously housed council offices.

Thoresby House was built as a pupil teachers’ college in 1900 at around the same time as Leonardo Printworks which was built as a printing works and offices.

McLaren Properties has submitted full planning and listed building applications. If it wins consent the properties would be redeveloped and extended and a new 11-storey building constructed in the car park.

The student accommodation would be arranged in a mixture of studio and cluster flats. There would also be communal areas, including student hub facilities and outdoor amenity space.

Planning approval to turn both buildings into offices and to build a hotel on the car park was secured back in 2018, but these earlier proposals were never implemented.

A statement accompanying the latest application explains: “This proposal seeks to achieve a more effective
use of the site and buildings, while adopting a more sensitive approach to the listed buildings and existing structures

“This opportunity is well located to support the local demands for student accommodation due to its positive connectivity with the city and the education facilities.

“This proposal looks to provide a mix of premium accommodation types to the students in a well supported development that promotes a communal live-study lifestyle.

“The heritage of the site and the design of the accommodation provides a flexible residential offer that is adaptive to the residential demands of the city.”