Green light for second phase of city regeneration project

Plans for Vastint UK’s Leeds development, Aire Park, have taken a significant step as planning consent has been granted for the next phase of the scheme.

Leeds City Council has approved plans for a seven-storey building, which will provide 75,000 sq ft of office space and almost 7,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor space for local retail, restaurant and amenity businesses..

The building will be on the corner of Waterloo Street and Hunslet Road, neighbouring the Tetley building, and will mark the gateway to Aire Park on the approach from Leeds Railway Station and city centre. Work on the building is set to begin later this year.

The property has been designed by architects Cartwright Pickard and will target BREEAM Excellent status.

Its ground floor has been designed for a flexible co-working space, while cycle storage and changing facilities will promote healthy commuting and active lifestyles.

There will be a large roof terrace with views across the park and the Leeds skyline.

Simon Schofield, Vastint UK Construction Lead North, said: “Since planning permission was first submitted for Aire Park, we’ve seen huge interest and support from the local public, and this approval brings us closer to realising Aire Park as a new city-centre district for the people of Leeds.

“This exciting design will help re-create the historic route of the Hunslet Road, whilst providing state of the art office and retail space in the very heart of Leeds.

“Our long-term investment in Aire Park complements the plans for the city as a whole, and will create a thriving community in the South Bank area.”

Once complete, Aire Park is intended to create a new community on the former Tetley Brewery site as part of the regeneration of the South Bank area.

Plans for the first phase of the development include 850 homes, offices, shops, a hotel and a six-acre city centre park.

Director of Cartwright Pickard, Peter Cartwright, said: “It’s fantastic to see the shared vision for Aire Park continuing to come to life with this latest planning approval.

“This building will act as a gateway to the masterplan and create adaptable and inclusive office space alongside commercial space, contributing to the rich mix of uses that will transform the former Tetley Brewery site into a vibrant, green and climate-friendly city centre district.”

Plans have already been approved for additional commercial space, the restoration and expansion of the former Crown Hotel, and the detailed design of the park, as part of the first phase of the development.