Landmark office, retail and leisure development plans win support

Plans for 9 Wellington Place have taken a step forward after being given backing by Leeds city councillors.

The 12-storey building is intended to bring hundreds more jobs to the city centre.

When built, 9 Wellington Place will comprise 176,413 sq ft of office and 6,851 sq ft of ground floor retail and leisure space.

During a pre-application presentation at the latest Leeds City Council City Plans Panel, councillors agreed to support the proposals for the property across a series of areas, including design, scale, landscaping, pedestrian connectivity, and climate change and sustainability.

Members also agreed that the reserved matters planning application for 9 Wellington Place will now be determined by delegated powers rather than being voted on by Leeds City Council’s planning committee.

Paul Pavia, commercial director at MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “Gaining such favourable endorsements for 9 Wellington Place and the wider Wellington Place development from the City Plans panel is extremely pleasing.

“MEPC and our investors are fully committed to Wellington Place’s long-term future and our approach to 9 Wellington Place is testament to this.

“It is an example of the best of the next generation of buildings, featuring industry-leading design, and construction which has both sustainability and social responsibility at its heart.

“Alongside sustainability advantages, once completed 9 Wellington Place will bring thousands more regular visitors to the area, new occupiers to the city and wider region, create employment opportunities and be a further catalyst for economic development after what has been a challenging period.”

Tony O’Brien, partner at Sheppard Robson, the architecture practice behind 9 Wellington Place, added: “9 Wellington Place is set to become another welcome and valuable addition to the wider Wellington Place neighbourhood.

“It brings together the very latest in building design and sustainable construction and we are confident it will not only set the bar for new development but also play an important role in the ongoing rejuvenation of Leeds city centre.”