Business park plans raising economic hopes

A trio of proposals for new office, retail and leisure facilities at Thorpe Park, plus the creation of a new link road and huge public green space, are expected to get the go-ahead from council planning chiefs tomorrow.

The scheme includes shops, restaurants, hotels and a gym. It is expected to create 3,000 jobs during the construction phase, and 10,000 when complete.

It is part of the wider East Leeds Extension, which could see as many as 6,000 houses built in the surrounding area.

The council’s neighbourhoods and planning spokesman councillor Peter Gruen said the project would be a “massive boost to the Leeds economy”.

Almost 600,000 sq ft of business space has already been built at Thorpe Park, and the new planning application could add up to 1.1 million sq ft of office space.

If councillors give the plans their consent, the blueprint will be referred to the Secretary of State for final approval.

The proposals also incorporate plans for a new Manston Lane Link Road, which would connect the East Leeds Extension area with Junction 46 of the M1 motorway, and would aim to reduce local congestion.

Coun Gruen said the trio of projects “represent an opportunity for a massive boost to the Leeds and wider Leeds City Region economy and the creation of thousands of new jobs”.

“It will also deliver the new Manston Lane Link Road and open up new housing land for development in East Leeds. Should the applications be approved we will continue to work with the developers to ensure any problems are resolved so that the area and wider city can benefit fully from this development.”

Success for the scheme would come at the second time of asking. A previous blueprint for the site was rejected.