Big residential plans for Yorkshire Chemicals site

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Early proposals for a sprawling development of about 1,000 flats off Kirkstall Road will be discussed by councillors on Thursday.

Developers are proposing to build a mixed use scheme on the former Yorkshire Chemicals site off Kirkstall Road. The scheme would include private residential housing, student accommodation, shops, restaurants and bars.

The land – which has been empty for several years after all buildings were demolished – backs onto the River Aire and is a major gateway into west Leeds. An existing bridge on the site links to the Otter Island residential development of 113 dwellings, which is currently under construction.

Councillors on the city plans panel will consider a report on the early proposals for the major site and offer their intial feedback.

A planners’ report says the scheme will include three types of flats :

  • 220 private ‘for sale’ flats
  • 520 private rented sector flats
  • and 240 student flats
The report, which says the provision of affordable housing is currently being discussed with the applicant, adds:

“The scheme splits the site into four quarters, with a building in each … which creates a junction at the centre of the site. The taller buildings are located around the perimeter of the site, being 10-12 storeys fronting Kirkstall Road, rising to 14 storeys along the western and eastern boundaries and declining to six storeys fronting the river.”

There will be car parking for 550 vehicles. A large riverspace open area is also proposed for the site, which already has outline consent ofr huigh density residential and office accommodation.

As the plans are at pre-application stage, no decision on the proposals will be taken on Thursday.

Councillors are being asked to consider and give early feedback whether they think there is need for a school on the site, whether a city centre high rise approach is suitable, the scale and articulation in the heights of the buildings, whether there is enough open space on the site and the need to retain or replace the existing bridge.

You can read the planning officer’s report in full.

The site already has outline planning permission for 1.5 million sqft of office and residential development and a green urban park. The site was bought by Blenheim Developments in 2012.

Further up Kirkstall Road, work is continuing at the £300 million Kirkstall Forge residential and business development. The new Kirkstall Forge Railway Station is due to open later this year.

What do you think? Have your say in the comments below.

 

 

 

1 COMMENT

  1. I would not like to see any more rediculous buildings like the student accommodations we already have and the high rise flats which are edging the way out of town there is already a great strain on our local schools and healthcare we need more recreation spaces and not bars keep that in the city centre where it belongs

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