Plans approved to redevelop old YP site

Members of the council’s plans panel resolved to approve the plans which will see it transformed into a major mixed use development, providing around 50,000sqm of offices, 200 homes and a range of other uses, including cafes, shops and leisure facilities.

The scheme will bring in a new era for this key “gateway” site, which was historically the location of the world’s first wool mill, prior to being replaced by the iconic YP Print and Office Buildings in 1970.

The YP Buildings were themselves demolished last year, following the relocation of the paper’s workforce to No 1 Leeds on Whitehall Road.

The new scheme will open up a previously inaccessible stretch of the city’s waterfront, with the proposals incorporating an extensive area (circa 40 per cent of the site) of new public realm and open space that will take advantage of the riverside setting and provide public areas between the new buildings.

The outline planning application was unanimously supported by the Council’s members, resolving to approve it, subject to finalisation of details with officers and the signing of a legal agreement to secure affordable housing provision, public transport improvements and other developer contributions.

Tim Waring, Director of Quod, planning consultants for the project, said: ”The Council’s support for the scheme will spark the early regeneration of this high profile site, bringing about a huge transformation to this important part of Leeds. Once complete it will create a vibrant addition to the city centrefocus, while also helping the Council to meet its future economic and housing needs.”