Member Article

750 apartment development in Holbeck shelved during the recession to be revived

A major 750 apartment development mothballed due to the economic downturn is likely to be revived.

The 1.9 hectare development on two temporary car parks between Manor Road, Ingram Road and Sweet Street falls in the Holbeck Urban Village regeneration area on the city centre’s South Bank.

Close by construction of the Leeds rail station’s £17 million south entrance recently started in earnest sparking an increase in activity in the area.

The scheme would consist of 91 studios, 319 one bed, 335 two bed and five three bed apartments.

Commercial floor space of 696sqm facing onto Sweet Street would also be available along with 263 car parking spaces accessed from two points on Ingram Street and 352 cycle spaces as Leeds Core Cycle network would be easily accessible from the site.

The draft proposal was presented to City Plans Panel at Leeds Civic Hall yesterday by Ingram Row Limited to allow members to comment on how the scheme has developed since it was first proposed in 2012. A full planning application is expected later in the year.

Councillor Peter Gruen, executive member for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel said: “It is encouraging to see activity returning to Holbeck Urban Village and we are focussed on the need to provide enough quality, accessible homes to meet the city’s growing population, while protecting the quality of the environment and respecting community identity.

“The proposals have the potential to make a significant contribution to the provision of new homes in the city, in a brownfield location.”

Councillor Jim McKenna who chaired this meeting of the City Plans Panel said: “It is important this development is fitting and suitable for the area. We want the best possible result for potential residents living in these apartments and the surrounding area that is why we consider each application with the upmost care.

“The revised scheme is a great improvement of the approved scheme and I welcome the additional enlarged public open space and landscaping and planting that is now being proposed.

“The active street frontage and small private gardens at street level also brings a ‘continental setting’ to Leeds that members have been requesting for some time from developers. Perhaps this scheme, in its maturity, can set a bench mark for other quality developments in our city.”

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