Centre of excellence plans for historic Leeds site approved

Planning permission has been granted for a new life science UK centre of excellence on a historic site in Leeds with the potential to support about 300 jobs.CEG has submitted a planning application earlier this year for the redevelopment of Drapers Yard on Marshall Street to create a new facility for Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company.Labcorp undertakes medical research and has worked on a number of Covid-19 vaccines.The company currently operates out of two sites in Leeds and plans to consolidate the team into one building for more efficient, collaborative working. It is also aiming to double in size, retaining and creating almost 300 highly skilled scientific and healthcare jobs in the city.The proposed facility would comprise about 85,000 sq ft of floorspace, including a 100-bed clinic, pharmacy and Labcor’s UK office headquarters.Drapers Yard will be transformed with a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting on Marshall Street and Sweet Street.Biodiversity is set to be enhanced and the setting of heritage assets protected, including the adjacent grade I-listed Temple Works.The council has now granted planning permission for the development, subject to conditions, under delegated powers.Drapers Yard was previously owned by Kays catalogue company but has been vacant since 2004. It was originally constructed as an extension to Temple Works, which adjoins to the north via a link building.The building is located within the Temple masterplan area where CEG, alongside Leeds City Council, are bringing forward further development. About four million sq ft of accommodation is set to be created, with Temple Works as its heart as a cultural centrepiece.