New plans come forward for historic site

New plans for the redevelopment of a landmark site central to Leeds’ industrial heritage are set to be discussed at a council meeting later this week (18 April 2019).Tower Works is located to the north of Globe Road on the south side of Leeds city centre, within the Holbeck area. Originally established as a pin factory for the textile industry in the 1860s, the works, which closed in 1981, have long been earmarked for regeneration.There are five listed buildings on the site: The Engine House (grade II), 6-8 Globe Road (grade II), and the three towers. The smaller ornate tower (grade II*), built in 1864 in the centre of the site, is based on the Lamberti Tower in Verona, Italy.Collapsed construction giant Carillion previously secured planning permission in 2016 for the construction of ten buildings in three phases. This scheme would have comprised 160 residential units and about 127,000 sq ft of office space.Cedar (Maple Oak) Ltd, a collaboration between Ask Real Estate and Richardson’s, is now bringing forward new plans for the site with the aims of starting work in the last quarter of 2019.The new scheme proposes the development of two new buildings, ranging from five to 11 storeys in height.The upper floors of the buildings would comprise 243 apartments, with 127 one-bedroom, 104 two-bedroom and 12 three bedroom units.Commercial units would be developed on the ground floors, along with facilities for the apartments. New public space would also be created.Pre-application plans for the development will be presented at a meeting of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel on 18 April 2019.Members of the committee will be asked for their views on the proposed mass and form of the development are acceptable, the planned housing mix, public realm and the emerging architectural approach.