Developers are set to pay Leeds City Council an additional £678,000 for extra work needed on the Kirkstall Forge development.
The council has approved the transfer of money from Commercial Estates Group (CEG) to fund additional works to create ‘iconic architectural features’ for a proposed 10 metre high retaining wall alongside the River Aire.
The walls will now include cantilever viewing platforms which have been called the “Lounge and Ledge”.
CEG will fully fund the additional work and the funds will be lodged in an separate account which the council can draw on. The developer will also add a 5% contingency fund should work be delayed.
The report, which stated that planning approval had already been granted, concludes:
“There is an opportunity to significantly enhance the Kirkstall Forge Development by introducing the high quality public space overlooking the River Aire. The Lounge and Ledge platforms would be iconic architectural features and should help to promote the redevelopment of the site.
“The main steelwork required for the Lounge and Ledge can only be installed during the construction of the reinforced earth retaining walls and the only logical way is for this to be done is by varying the current contract.”
The report to the chief officer for highways and transportation added:
“Works to both the new railway station and the essential infrastructure works are both progressing well with the anticipated opening of the station in December 2015.”
If that date is accurate, it means the station’s opening date has been put back by at least two months based on this YEP report from March.
Read the report in full:
Report to the Chief Officer Highways and Transportation
The multi-million pound Kirkstall Forge development will eventually include a new riverside community of 1,355 homes, 46,000 sq ft of office space and a range of leisure facilities including bars, restaurants, retail, gym and hotel .
In June CEG submitted a detailed planning application for a 15,543 sq m, seven-storey office building as part of the first phase of the development.
Meanwhile, the council has announced that roadworks on the A65 Abbey Road are now expected to begin on August 17 instead of today.