Proposals for prominent riverside sites set to move forward

Two sets of plans for the development of build-to-rent (BTR) apartments on prominent riverside sites in Leeds city centre look set to take a step forward next week (3 November 2022).Glenbrook submitted plans to Leeds City Council earlier this year for a site to the south of Whitehall Road.Planning permission is sought for two blocks of 15 and 18 storeys, with commercial space at ground floor level.A total of 500 apartments would be created, with 257 one-bed, 192 two-bed and 51 three-bed units. Three commercial units would be located at ground floor.The scheme includes residents’ amenities set across the ground and first floor, with terrace gardens overlooking the River Aire.The site, located opposite the Wellington Place development, currently operates as a temporary surface car park.The project team includes Sheppard Robson (architect), ID Planning (planning consultant), Re-form (landscape architect), Curtins (structural and civil engineer), Abacus (cost consultant), Crookes Walker Consulting (M&E engineer), GIA (wind consultant), Project 4 (CDM consultant), BB7 (fire consultant) and Assent (building control adviser).The scheme forms part of the £280m masterplan for the development of Whitehall Riverside. Town Centre Securities (TCS) also submitted plans earlier this year for office buildings, an aparthotel and a multi-storey car park.The application will be considered by the council’s City Plans Panel on 3 November and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The report said: “It is considered that the proposals are appropriate in respect of the use and the scale, design and style of the built form. The resulting scheme would be a high-quality, appropriate development, which would significantly contribute to the provision of housing and would add to the vibrancy and vitality to the area and furthering its regeneration.”Another application from Glenbrook, for development on the former Arla Foods site on Kirkstall Road, will also be considered at the meeting.The proposed development would comprise 618 apartments set across five buildings, designed to respond to the riverside, and extensive new public realm on the 5.12-acre site at 87-89 Kirkstall Road.The plans include more than 10,000 sq ft of amenity space including residents lounge, co-working hub and gym, 3,800 sq ft of commercial space and 6,000 sq ft of private external terraces.The scheme has been designed by Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher (CJCT) with re-form advising as landscape architect. Avison Young acted as planning consultant and the wider project team includes Curtins, Abacus Cost Management, Crookes Walker Consulting and GIA.Glenbrook acquired the site, with outline planning consent, from Marshalls CDP earlier this year.An officer’s report prepared for the meeting said: “It is considered that the scale, form and detailing of the proposal would enhance the character of this part of Kirkstall Road and help to deliver an identified housing need in the development plan. On balance the proposals are supported by national and local planning policy.”