Green light for apartments on historic Leeds site

Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of a landmark site central to Leeds’ industrial heritage to create almost 250 new apartments.The development on the Tower Works site, by Richardson and Ask Real Estate and in conjunction with Homes England, was approved at a meeting of Leeds City Council’ City Plans Panel yesterday (20 February 2020).Tower Works was established in the 1860s as a steel pin factory for carding and combing in the textile industry. The works closed in 1981 and has been earmarked for regeneration for many years. One of the buildings has previously been redeveloped to provide space for creative and digital companies.The original Victorian buildings, designed by Thomas Shaw, are famous for their Italianate influence, including three prominent towers, Verona; Giotto and Little Chimney, which will be a focal point of the new scheme. The new development is set to comprise two new residential buildings with 245 one-, two- and three-bedroom build-to-rent (BTR) apartments and duplexes.As well as the new homes, the approved plans include ground floor commercial uses and extensive new areas of public realm designed to create a pedestrian route through from the city centre to the Holbeck Urban Village neighbourhood. Leeds City Council is also planning to redevelop the grade II-listed Engine House at Tower Works as a post-production facility following Channel 4’s move to the city.Construction company Sir Robert McAlpine was appointed as lead contractor and site enabling works have already begun ahead of an immediate start on site.The project team also includes engineering company WSP; Ryder Architecture, which has designed the scheme; and project manager and QS Faithful and Gould.