Images revealed for “world-class” scheme and urban park

Detailed plans and dramatic images have been unveiled for a “world-class” residential and leisure-led regeneration scheme in Leeds which centres around the creation of a new public park that draws inspiration from New York’s famous Highline.The unoccupied 4.2-acre former Doncaster Monkbridge site off Whitehall Road, located to the west of the Wellington Place scheme, is characterised by a grade II-listed former railway viaduct that runs along the south-east boundary.Further details about a proposal to regenerate the immediate area have now been submitted by ID Planning with the eye-catching designs drawn up by architecture firm Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher.The proposed development incorporates up to 607 apartments, split between the open market and the private rented sector (PRS), and the creation of a new public park at the viaduct upper level, linking the city to the site and crossing the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.There will be about 65,000 sq ft of public open space within the site consisting of a majority of the top of the listed viaduct, which is about the same length and width as Briggate, with a further 17,750 sq ft of private communal space for the residents of the PRS apartments.New commercial space will be created under the viaduct and be home to shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, while the triangular area between the two viaduct limbs has been earmarked for a glazed covered space and a physical connection between the viaduct level and the lower general site level.Through consultation with Leeds City Council, Historic England and other parties, the development team has designed a “world-class urban regeneration opportunity” that aims to respond sympathetically to the viaduct and to the site’s immediate context, while creating “exceptional spaces” for enjoyment by both residents and the public.Full planning approval is sought for the 307 PRS units along with the commercial elements of the project, with outline permission being sought for the open market dwellings.The three buildings containing the PRS units would be between 12 and 14 storeys in height closest to the railway line.Of the remaining two buildings containing the open market units, the building closest to the canal is proposed to be between 18 and 21 storeys, with the remaining one being between 12 and 14 storeys.The new public realm aims to be a destination space within Leeds and become a “prime space in the city”, with easy access to and from residential buildings being a priority. External landscaping and the private courtyards to be developed for residential buildings are said to be critical to achieving this aim.Other professionals working on the scheme include Turley, Hann Tucker Associates, Buro Happold, SCP Design, FPCR, Roscoe and Prospect Archaeology.The project is being brought forward by a company controlled by investment services group Alpha Real Capital.Sir Alfred McAlpine is in place as a construction partner and, subject to approval, work is intended to commence on site in the summer of 2017, with completion in 2019.