Plans to develop a multimillion-pound residential tower scheme east of Leeds city centre have taken a step forward.
Joint venture partners Cole Waterhouse and Tonia Investments have secured amended planning consent for Leeds Urban Village. The partnership acquired the 3.8 acre site in May 2022 with full detailed planning permission for 1,012 apartments across five towers with commercial space on the ground floor.
Leeds-based DLG Architects and landscape specialists Exterior Architects have since reviewed the plans to enhance placemaking characteristics and wind mitigation features. An amendment application submitted in December featured changes to elevation and public realm design including a climbing wall, play and events spaces.
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Once completed, Leeds Urban Village will deliver 1,012 residential apartments across five towers ranging from 13-23 storeys and will include 478 build-to-rend apartments. On the ground floor spaces there will be retail, food and drinks units as well as a shared pantry, cinema, gym and a "library of things" featuring appliances and equipment for people to borrow.
George Smith, planning manager at Cole Waterhouse, said: "These design enhancements will ensure that Leeds Urban Village is a desirable new urban neighbourhood and a cultural destination in itself, designed to meet and exceed people’s expectations now and in the future. Located in the heart of Leeds city centre with both the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Great Northern Ballet nearby, we have looked at how we best build on the surrounding cultural offer to deliver a vibrant and meaningful placemaking strategy to strengthen further our engagement with the cultural and creative community in Leeds as our vision for the site develops.
"We have been working with Colliers to secure development funding and also working on the appointment of a main contractor. We are aiming to start on site in Q2 2024 to deliver the first phases of much needed built-to-rent homes for the city of Leeds."
