Holbeck Urban Village regeneration plans move forward
PLANS to kick-start further regeneration activity in Holbeck Urban Village (HUV) have taken a step forward.
The Leeds City Council Executive Board will meet on Friday to discuss the future of the Engine House – part of the Tower Works development site. Plans are in place to dispose of the building in order to secure a developer to invest in it.
The Council bought the Grade II listed building from the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) last year. It received a financial payment to assist in bringing about the refurbishment of it and going forward, there is cash available to assist a developer.
Both the HCA and Leeds City Council own sites at the Tower Works development – the HCA being the major landowner – with the Council also owning the Italianate Towers. The HCA is also progressing a procurement exercise to dispose of its assets at the site, with view of securing a developer partner.
Last summer, the Tower Works site celebrated its 100% let milestone and is now ready for the next stage of development. There’s currently planning permission for around 138 residential units, 12,000sqm of commercial office development and 1,400sqm of retail and commercial space. The Tower Works phase two development could incorporate a mixed-use scheme including residential, employment and ancillary uses. Its first phase has seen the creation of 18,000 sq ft of grade A office space close to the Round Foundry Media Centre and Marshalls Mill.
Work started on the new southern entrance project at Leeds Station last week and a number of projects have highlighted the potential of the area for further regeneration.
This week, Allied London announced it has submitted a planning application for a new workspace building at its Leeds Docks development, the residential flats at Granary Wharf are all sold and the final units at Granary Wharf are under offer.
Paul Taylor, the joint founder and a director of Creative Space Management, which manages Tower Works, said HCA has done work to the site is ready for development and said it is a really good opportunity.
“This is a really good prime site. The area has a lot going for it and a lot going on already. All these things coming together make this a really exciting time for development,” he said.
On Friday, the Executive Board is set to agree that the Director of City Development progresses the disposal of the Engine House site for the selection of a preferred bidder through a procurement exercise, working in partnership with the HCA.
The Council report says: “Securing the redevelopment of the Engine House can also secure the sustainable future of a Grade II listed building and any refurbishment will need to ensure that the character of this listed building is preserved. In principle, the building could be refurbished for a wide range of active uses including small scale convenience retail, food and drink sales, leisure, small scale offices or professional services. There is positive potential for a refurbishment of the Engine House to contribute to the regeneration of the South Bank.”
The HCA is progressing plans to hold a competition to dispose of their assets at Tower Works. The intention is to dispose of the Tower Works site to a developer.
The Council and the HCA also own other assets in HUV and there will be further discussions between the Council and the HCA on how these assets can be used to support the regeneration of the area.
