Planned mixed use riverside development targets prominent city centre site
More details have been unveiled for a major mixed use riverside scheme, intended for land south of Whitehall Road, in Leeds.
Pre-application proposals for a 532 Built-to-Rent (BTR) apartment complex, a 478-space multi-storey car park, two office buildings and a hotel were presented to members of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel.
The site identified for the project has been used as two privately-owned long-stay car parks.
A report by the council’s chief planning officer notes: “The proposal offers a significant opportunity to regenerate a large prominently located vacant brownfield city centre site.
“The proposal would deliver new homes, employment, visitor accommodation, public landscaped greenspace, new pedestrian and cycle connections and bring much needed activity into this area.”
The report explains the BTR part of the scheme would comprise 16 and 19 storey towers, linked by a podium. There would also be four commercial units on the ground floor.
As part of the overall scheme, there would be new landscaping, public realm, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout. The landscaping would also incorporate tree planting along Whitehall Road.
Councillors at the meeting were told green corridors would enhance north-south links across the site, while the scheme would also provide an opportunity to improve the riverside walkway.
Panel members were mainly supportive of the proposals, though Cllr Peter Carlill said he would like to see three-bed homes comprise a minimum of 10% of the apartments, in order to help attract more families.
