Plans lodged for student flats and artists’ studios

Plans have been lodged for a new mixed-use development on the edge of Leeds city centre that would provide accommodation for more than 400 students as well as artists studios.Alumno Student (Whitelock) and BW9, supported by Turley and Howarth Litchfield, has submitted an application to Leeds City Council for a development on a site at Whitelock Street in Sheepscar.Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing commercial properties on the site and construction of a new part-six, part-seven storey building.The scheme would provide accommodation for 411 students across a mix of cluster flats and studios.Facilities including a communal hub, laundry, cinema room, gym, roof terrace, garden and cycle storage would be provided.The development would also include gallery and studio space to be managed by East St Arts, with commissioned public artworks to be integrated into the public realm and external student areas. Flexible consent is sought for these units to allow for alternative uses.The proposed development would comprise about 140,000 sq ft of floorspace in total.It has been estimated that the proposed uses would support about 23 jobs, with between 150 and 200 people on site during construction.Of the existing buildings on the site, Diamond House is currently in use while Britannia House and Caroline House are vacant. All three are proposed to be demolished.