Leeds co-living development set for approval

A co-living development proposed for a site in Leeds city centre has been recommended for approval ahead of a meeting later this week (15 February 2024).KMRE Group, supported by ID Planning and NW Architects, submitted a full planning application to Leeds City Council in 2022 for a site at Holdforth Court on Brussels Street.The site is currently occupied by the vacant St Anne’s Community Service building, a four-storey former residential hostel.Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a new ten-storey co-living development.The proposed building would comprise 118 co-living’ studio apartments, with shared kitchen and lounge spaces.Communal facilities would also include workspaces, gym, laundry, cinema room and concierge.The application originally proposed an 11-storey building featuring 189 apartments. However, amendments were made to address concerns raised by officers over the design.The plans will be considered by the council’s City Plans Panel on 15 February and are recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The report said: “The scheme would contribute towards much needed affordable housing in the city and would deliver a high standard of amenity for the occupier – whilst redeveloping an urban brownfield site with a building that will accord with and can be controlled to meet adopted policies on sustainability and climate change.”The scheme would provide further choice within the expanding portfolio of residential types and tenures in the city centre setting but would not compromise on the quality of accommodation in doing so when assessed against adopted standards for more conventional residential tenures.”