By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Early plans for hundreds of new homes next to one of the city’s busiest traffic junctions will debated by Leeds City Council next week.
A block of 385 flats, up to 18 storeys high, would be built on land near Armley Gyratory if the scheme goes ahead.
Council planners have been in talks with a developer over early-stage proposals for the site near the junction of Wellington Road and Armley Road.
Three ground floor commercial units would be built as part of the development, which would include parking and bicycle spaces.
The new homes would be spread across a multi-level development of two main buildings with heights ranging from six to 18 storeys.
A report to the council’s City Plans Panel said use of the site for housing was considered acceptable in principle.
It said: “The development would also help to meet housing need in a sustainable location and would involve the regeneration of a long vacant brownfield site within a highly prominent location on a main route into the city”
The proposal from UCR Leeds Ltd will be discussed by the plans panel at a meeting on Thursday (May 16).
Most of the flats, some 208, would be one-bedroom. The development would include 130 two-bed and 47 three-bed homes.
The report said the site had already been given outline planning permission, which gives consent in principle, for new homes and commercial units.
The proposal is still at pre-application stage, so no decision will be taken by councillors next Thursday, but they will provide feedback on the scheme for architects and developers to take into consideration.
Full planning permission will then be sought for the latest plans, which the developer says could bring improved pedestrian and cycle routes to that part of the city. The developer would be asked to contribute towards nearby road improvements.
The report added: “This site will have a direct impact upon Armley Gyratory. To mitigate this a contribution will be required towards works to improve capacity at Armley Gyratory and approach routes.”
Are the council having a laugh?
They have been blundering around with the gyratory for years, spending millions with very little improvement evident and now say they would need money towards increasing capacity!!