A pre-application from developers Merrion Street Ltd outlines early plans to demolish 44 Merrion Street and replace it with a 545-bed student accommodation building.

According to a report, set to go before Leeds City Council’s city plans panel this week, the development could also include ‘a mix of ground floor uses’, potentially including ‘retail space and a community/arts centre’.

The Santander offices closed in 2019, and the report claimed the proposal would only reduce employment land by a ‘relatively small amount’.

The former Santander building on Merrion Street could be replaced with more than 500 student flats.

The report added: “The top of the tower would be at level 31 (33 storeys in total when the podium is added). In common with upper levels of the podium it would contain student accommodation.

“A mix of clusters and studios is proposed resulting in approximately 545 bed spaces. Dedicated student amenity areas are identified at lower levels and upper levels of the development towards the eastern end of the site. The 10 bedroom clusters would each have shared kitchens and living areas.”

As this is only at pre-application stage, no decision will be made on the proposals, as more details plans are expected to be submitted later this year.

33-storey tower could replace old Leeds city centre Santander offices