Plans lodged for student flats on stalled Leeds development site

More details have been revealed on a proposed 300-bedroom student accommodation scheme on a long-stalled development site in Leeds, after a full-planning application for the development was submitted.Select Property Group acquired Portland Crescent, the site of the part-built Leeds Arena Hotel, in September 2017 under its Vita Student brand.Work previously stopped on the site in March 2015 when the building contractor and its parent company went into administration.Vita Student, which is also behind the St Alban’s Place development currently under construction, is proposing to add two additional storeys to the approved tower element of the building to make it 16 storeys tall. The lower section of the building would remain at six storeys.The new building would comprise 312 student bedrooms, with studio flats ranging in size from 215 sq ft to 600 sq ft. Student amenity space will be created on the lower ground and ground floor levels, while separate commercial units will also be provided.In November 2017 Vita Student presented its proposals to Leeds City Council Plans Panel. Members were supportive of the increase in height and the student accommodation use.Following this meeting, changes were made to the proposed development, including the introduction of a pedestrian management scheme, the use of limestone rain cladding and a crown for the tower element to replace the previously-approved rooftop bar.The developer has also adopted a minimum room size of 215 sq ft, as requested by the council, although one room will measure 194 sq ft.The applicant has estimated that the project will create about 170 jobs in the construction phase, with further positions in the completed student residential and commercial elements.The former hotel scheme had planning consent for 206 rooms with conference room, rooftop bar and ancillary office, meeting rooms, and restaurant uses.