Regenerate brewery site rather than waste it

REGARDING the Tetley brewery closure/development, I am a local business owner and resident of Leeds of a number of years.

I live opposite the Tetley Brewery and own and run a business five minutes walk from the site. A true city dweller you might say!

I am very keen to see the site developed in the best interests of the people and city. My understanding of the current plans are:

Develop car parking spaces.

Open an art gallery.

Develop green space.

I have certain questions and concerns I would like to bring to your attention.

1) Parking spaces: My understanding is this will generate a significant revenue for the landowners.

Do the local residents/business/council benefit from this parking?

2) Art gallery: While this is a nice idea in principle, again does this benefit Leeds as there would be no business rates payable?

3) Green space: What would the green space consist of?

Is green space next to a car park really green?

What is the motivation of the landowners to create a green space rather than adding more parking spaces?

I feel this is a token gesture to help them get any planning approval they require.

I believe the land is a great location and opportunity for regeneration rather than the current plans. I don’t need to point out the current economic climate and the difficulties we all face to make ends meet.