New hotel for Leeds as tourism booms

Developers have won planning permission for the first phase of a major scheme to transform the 2.45 acre site of the former British Gas complex between Bridge Street, Gower Street, Regent Street and New York Road on the eastern fringe of Leeds city centre.

The site is close to the flagship new Victoria Gate shopping complex which is currently under construction.

Existing former British Gas offices will be refurbished and extended to create a 182-bed boutique hotel complex after Leeds City Council’s city plans panel granted planning permission.

The regeneration project is being developed by a consortium of Singapore-listed companies led by Heeton Holdings Ltd.

A Heeton Holdings spokesman said: “Heeton Holdings Ltd has been in conversations with internationally recognised hotel brands and plans to capture the increasing demand of a hotel of this size and quality in this part of the city following the success of the First Direct Arena and the up and coming development at Victoria Gate. Site preparation works are now well underway with construction due to begin in 2017.”

The developers are yet to reveal details of plans for the wider site, Proposals for the second phase of the regeneration scheme are due to be revealed within weeks. A report to Leeds City Council’s city plans panel, stated: “The proposed development would involve major investment in the site and in doing so bring forward significant improvements to its appearance and to connectivity around and through it.”