Contentious arena plans submitted
Developer Downing has lodged plans to transform the former Yorkshire Bank HQ close Leeds Arena into a 1,200-bed student scheme after councillors feared over supply student accommodation.
The development which was first proposed last year when the developer revealed plans for the site which will become vacant in 2025 when the bank’s parent company, Virgin Money UK’s lease expires, have now been submitted to the council.
The plans show a 38 storey towner at the North end of the site in the first phase, with a second stepped student block of 7,12,17 and 20 storeys on the southern end as part of phase two. The plans show that Downing’s construction arm would build the new buildings.
The application comes after members of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel said in September that the previous images released of the tower block looked impressive, that they had concerns that it wasn’t the right location for the building and over a potential over supply of student accommodation.
The plans also show that the existing Yorkshire Bank building will be demolished and that 117,000 sq ft multi purpose event space will also be delivered on the site.
The planing statement submitted to the council notes that: “The proposal will deliver new landmark buildings that will positively transform the Sites and surroundings, reflecting and complementing the wider pattern of investment and regeneration that has taken place around the Arena Quarter in recent years.”
Downing is seeking outline planning permission for the site and subject to approval hopes to start on the first phase in the final quarter of 2022.
