Member Article

Leeds City Council says HS2 will be "catalyst for visionary developments" as new station is in the works

Leeds City Council has unveiled “ambitious” plans for the future of the city using HS2 as a catalyst for visionary developments on a scale “never before seen” in Leeds.

Plans would see an iconic new rail station built on the south bank as part of the regeneration of the area, which at 136 hectares will be one of the biggest regeneration projects in Europe.

The significant regeneration scheme of south bank, comprising Holbeck urban village, areas around the old Tetley brewery and Leeds Dock, would deliver 250,000sqm of employment land with the potential to deliver 20,000 new jobs and 5,000 new homes.

It is thought when fully developed the area could rival the bustling north bank, which contains the civic, university, arena and retail quarters as well as Trinity Leeds.

Plans would also mean development of an innovative integrated public transport network with seamless interchange from the new station to trolley-buses, buses, the original main line, taxis and cycle routes spiralling prosperity out from the city centre.

Leeds City Council executive member for the economy and development councillor Richard Lewis, said: “We are committed to delivering a prestigious new railway station on the city’s south bank.

“It will provide an exciting new focus for our plans in the surrounding area, forming one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe.

“The arrival of HS2 will reshape the city. There are huge opportunities in the south bank for people to both work and live and HS2 will therefore add to the momentum that is already being generated for this part of the city.

“Not only will it create jobs, housing and investment, a step-change will also be made in the way all of our transport works.

“It will free up capacity on existing rail lines bringing the opportunity to reshape the whole network, and create much needed extra capacity to support economic growth in Leeds and the city region.

“It will also provide the chance to revisit all of our transport provision, not just rail networks.”

“In all, HS2 presents a great opportunity to rebalance Leeds and bring new prosperity to existing communities, ensuring they are fully connected to the city as a whole.”

Leeds experienced the fastest jobs growth between 2001 and 2008 of all the eight largest cities in England outside London. Leeds is currently the busiest railways station in the north of England with over 900 trains and 100,000 passengers daily and those figures are set to rise.

The visionary proposals have found favour with important local businesses who understand the potential it represents. Gerald Jennings of Land Securities the developer behind Trinity Leeds said: “Our antiquated rail system is groaning under current pressure of passengers. Just attempting to patch up the old network is not good enough.

“The increased capacity that only HS2 can provide is needed for the Leeds labour market to function connecting people to jobs, and allowing businesses to access the workforce.

“I believe that HS2 is a hugely important strategic investment that will bring a wide range of benefits by acting as a catalyst for growth and helping to rebalance the economy between north and south.”

Andrew Latchmore, partner of Shulmans solicitors and chairman of the Leeds Property Forum said: “The Leeds south bank represents one of the most existing development opportunities in the UK today. The Leeds property community will welcome any initiative the council takes to seize this opportunity.

“The planned arrival of HS2 should throw the spotlight on south Leeds and act as a spur to achieving the area’s enormous potential.”

Richard Lewis of property investor Town Centre Securities said: “We must be bold and deliver a world-class railway of which as a city we can be extremely proud. This is an essential development that will greatly benefit future generations but we must act now to be part of it.”

On the back of a far reaching central Government consultation, which closed on January 31, the council has made public for the first time details of its plans a for high-speed railway which is now available at www.leeds.gov.uk/HS2

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .