Debenhams conversion recommended for approval

Plans to convert the former Debenhams building in Leeds city centre to create new commercial units and student accommodation is set to get the go-ahead tomorrow (8 July 2021).St James Place UK (C/O Orchard Street Investment Management submitted full-planning and listed building applications to Leeds City Council in April for the redevelopment of the department store.The site comprises the grade II-listed 115-120 Briggate and 1930s building 121 Briggate, which were previously merged to form the department store.The application seeks planning permission for the redevelopment of the buildings, including a new rooftop extension to replace the existing 1990s extension, and conversion of the upper floors to student residential use.The development, to be known as The Drapery, would comprise 124 bed spaces, with 90 single occupancy and 17 dual occupancy studios.A courtyard wellness garden would be created in the centre of the department store from the second floor up, with a number of communal spaces also created, including a sky lounge.Commercial use would be retained on the ground floor and basement, with a 11,300 sq ft basement unit, 19,400 sq ft Unit One and 9,400 sq ft Unit Two.The application will go before the council’s City Plans Panel on 8 July 2021 and are recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.Plans to redevelopment the department store were revealed earlier this year when pre-application proposals were presented to Leeds City Council at a meeting of the City Plans Panel.Members were supportive of the proposed student accommodation use and the emerging design principles, subject to further design considerations for the top two floors.The project team includes Savills (Planning), Stace LLP, Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher, Bradley Murphy Design, A Plus Consulting Ltd, ICIS Design Limited, BB7, Envision, Greengage Environmental, eb7 and HCUK Group.