Multi-storey office and residential proposal for Leeds site

Proposals have come forward for a pair of multi-storey office buildings and a 40-storey residential tower in Leeds city centre.The plans cover the redevelopment of two adjacent parcels of land located towards the west end of Wellington Street beyond the former International Pool site.McLaren Property will present pre-application proposals to Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel on 6 October 2022.The proposals include the demolition of all existing buildings, as well as changes to highways around the site.Two new office buildings would be constructed on the southern half of the site. Plot 1a would measure 15 storeys with a floor area of about 221,000 sq ft, while Plot 1b would be 16 storeys and have floor area of about 238,000 sq ft.The northern segment of the site would feature a 40-storey, hexagonal-shaped residential building with 410 build-to-rent apartments. A mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units would be provided.This building would also feature amenity space, a residents’ roof garden, and a commercial food and beverage unit.A basement area extending across the site would provide 46 car parking spaces for the residential element of the development and 40 spaces for the commercial elements.The route of Skinner Street would also be adjusted and redesigned to give pedestrians priority, a central area of public realm would be formed, and improvements made to the cycling and pedestrian route.Panel members will be asked for their views on the proposed massing and design of the development, and the approach to landscaping.A planning officer’s report prepared for the meeting said: “The emerging proposals offer a significant potential to regenerate a sustainably located brownfield city centre site which has been underutilised for a number of years.”The development would deliver a significant number of new homes and BREEAM Outstanding office accommodation in conjunction with high quality, contemporary, architecture and improved public realm and connectivity in this prominent location.”Planning permission was granted last year for the £270m redevelopment of the former International Swimming Pool site on Lisbon Street. The scheme is set to include two build-to-rent (BTR) residential towers of 33 and 22 storeys featuring 629 apartments, a 24-storey student accommodation building with 548 bed spaces, a 15-storey, 120-key aparthotel with 22,000 sq ft of co-working office space and 131,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, along with further retail and leisure provisions.