Permission secured to develop life science UK centre of excellence
Leeds City Council has resolved to grant planning consent for the revitalisation of Drapers Yard on Marshall Street, within the Temple District of Leeds.
CEG submitted the planning application for a life science UK centre of excellence at the derelict site in March.
Once work is complete, the building will accommodate Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company
The business already operates out of two sites in Leeds and plans to consolidate the team into one building for more efficient working, as well as having the opportunity to retain and create almost 300 highly skilled scientific and healthcare jobs.
Labcorp has worked on most of the available COVID-19 vaccines and is involved in more than 400 studies for COVID-19 globally.
Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment at CEG, said: “We have worked closely with Leeds City Council to create an exciting new future for Drapers Yard.
“Labcorp’s Leeds base is internationally recognised and delivering a UK Centre of Excellence within Drapers Yard will boost the local economy, supporting the city’s post-Covid recovery plans.
“The proposals complement British Library’s ambitions for a potential future home at the iconic Temple Works, and will create a cluster for knowledge, innovation and science.
“Now planning permission has been granted, work will start immediately with the aim of occupation by summer 2022. We will work closely with Labcorp on the refurbishment.
“Drapers Yard is at the heart of the Temple masterplan area, where we are working with Leeds City Council and other partners on the delivery of a thriving business destination south of Leeds City Station with Temple Works as its cultural centrepiece.
“The Centre of Excellence for Labcorp further builds the huge momentum for inward investment that we are experiencing within the Temple District.”
Paul Fox, director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “Working very closely with Labcorp and their advisors on the detail over the last 12 months will enable us to deliver something that’s very bespoke and high quality, in a truly fantastic and unique building.
“We are very excited that matters are now contracted and we have commenced the delivery phase.
“This is what Temple is all about; we are curating a range of high-quality spaces and buildings of differing sizes and price points, aimed at a wide cross section of end users and sectors.
“The unique blend of character buildings and the city’s rich heritage all point to Temple being a very special place, and a big part of Leeds’ future.”
