Multi-million pound plans for key site set to get thumbs up

Councillors will be told that the site, located between the Merrion Centre and the Leeds Arena, which is currently being built in the city centre, is a key part of the regeneration of the northern area of the city envisaged when planning permission was granted for the arena.

A report to be considered by members of Leeds Council’s city centre plans panel says: “The application is brought to plans panel as the proposals involve major refurbishment and investment of around £15m in a significant site within the city centre.”

The proposals for an area bounded by Merrion Way, Brunswick Terrace and Tower House Street, include retaining and expanding existing buildings for existing tenants and uses, including the extension of a casino, three new restaurants and building 102 serviced apartments in a ten-storey tower. Public spaces will also be improved.

The plans, put forward by Mars Pension Trustees Ltd, are being recommended for approval by council officers, subject to conditions being agreed. Councillors will decide whether to give the proposals the green light when they meet on Thursday.

The report says: “The existing environment surrounding the site is largely low quality.

“When approving the arena development on the northern fringe of the city centre it was envisaged that it would act as a catalyst for investment and regeneration of the area. In particular, it was expected that the arena would help to sustain and develop supporting functions such as hotels, restaurants and related businesses.

“The current scheme seeks to respond to the opportunities arising from its location by introducing and supplementing uses which reflect those ambitions. At the same time the proposals involve a major investment and improvement in the building fabric and public realm and enhance the appearance of the area.

“The scheme is located in a key location between the arena and Merrion Centre such that the proposals form a crucial component in the regeneration of the northern area of the city centre. In doing so the development will create a significant number of jobs.”

One of the existing buildings on the site, currently houses a casino and it is proposed that this is expanded as part of the proposals. Tower House, a 19-storey office building, would get a new entrance and be reclad.

Leeds Civic Trust has indicated it supports the scheme in principal and said it has no issues with the overall design concept.

If planning permission is granted, subject to officers being happy that terms and conditions have been agreed, the applicant hopes to begin work by Easter next year and envisages it will be open to the public to coincide with the opening of the arena in 2013.

The first part of construction work at the £60m arena’s Clay Pit Lane home got under way earlier this year.

Experts estimate the project will create more than 450 jobs and generate £25m a year for the Leeds economy.

The regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, is contributing £10m to the cost of the scheme, with the remainder coming from the council.

The long-awaited 13,500 seat entertainment venue, which is costing £60m, is expected to attract one million visitors a year when it finally opens its doors in 2013.

While many building projects have stalled in the city in recent years, the new addition to the skyline has provided a much needed boost to the region’s construction industry.

The building will boast several environmentally-friendly features – from a special system to collect rainwater to new technology which will allow almost a third of the venues heating to come from low and zero carbon sources.

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