‘Golden Triangle’ care village proposals up for discussion

Plans for a new development of luxury retirement accommodation in Yorkshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’, which will include the renovation of a grade II-listed building, will be discussed by Leeds City Council next week (11 October 2018).Earlier this year, Audley Group, a provider of luxury retirement villages, agreed a deal to acquire a site at Scarcroft in West Yorkshire.The site includes Scarcroft Lodge, a grade II-listed former mansion house built in 1830 and currently in use as offices by Npower, which is in the process of relocating to new premises in Leeds, as well as a pair of modern office building.Gaunt Francis Architects, on behalf of the Audley Group, has submitted a pre-application enquiry, which will be heard by the council’s North and East Plans Panel on 11 October.The proposal is for the development of a community care village with 172 units of accommodation and nine private residential dwellings.A range of communal facilities would be created, including a health and well-being centre with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, salon and treatment rooms; lounge, library, hobbies room, restaurant and bistro and meeting rooms.The accommodation would comprise 148 apartments across 19 blocks, and 24 two-bed cottages. A total of 245 parking spaces would be provided, including 48 allocated to the nearby cricket club.Councillor will be asked whether they support the principle of the development and the proposed refurbishment of Scarcroft Lodge, as well as the design and landscaping proposals.However, it added that the wider benefits would need to be further considered to determine whether they outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.