Planning approval for £350M Leeds South Bank development

Leeds City Council has approved plans for the regeneration of a six acre site at the centre of the city’s South Bank.

In April, the Leeds City Plans Panel voted unanimously in favour of the £350M sustainable mixed-use development in the hopes of sparking a wider regeneration of the South Bank region. Now, the ‘Section 106’ legal planning agreement has been signed, bringing the high-value scheme a step closer to completion.

Led by property developer CEG, the planning application comprises two office developments with ground floor retail and leisure space totalling up to 26,100sq m. Outline planning permission for a 103,900sq m mixed-use development of office, retail, leisure, hotel, health, education and community space – in addition to 750 new homes – has also been given.

Work is expected to commence next month with the demolition of the former warehouse on Water Lane. A carefully scoped programme of archaeological excavation will unearth whatever remains on-site which once housed John Marshall’s first two mills in the eighteenth century. The Marshall family also masterminded construction of the nearby Grade I listed Temple Works, which CEG acquired earlier in the year.

Jon Kenny, Strategic Development Director of CEG, said: “Our proposals for South Bank bring together the birthplace of the industrial revolution in Leeds; the home of Marshall’s first two Mills, as well as the Marshalls’ last, and greatest creation, Temple Works. This is an exceptional opportunity to breathe life back into these, creating locally and nationally important iconic landmark buildings and innovative public spaces. This is not just about building on a historic legacy; it is about creating a new one.”

David Hodgson, CEG’s Head of Strategic Development in the North, added: “Many years of hard work are being realised as we launch to market an exceptional opportunity for the highest quality office developments just minutes from Leeds City Station. This, along with the retail, leisure, hotel, residential and community uses, benefitting from innovative outdoor spaces and the waterfront, will bring a strategic development of a critical mass and international standard, putting South Bank Leeds on the map as a place to live, work and enjoy.”

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