By John Baron
Five buildings at the former Kirkstall Brewery student residences are set to become rented apartments, after plans to change their use were approved by Leeds City Council.
Proposals by student accommodation specialists Cloverco Ltd will see empty student flats turned into 151 private residences at Monkwood House, Oak House and Graham House residences.
The development also encompasses parts of Elsworth House, Olive Mount House and Spring House/Poplar House.
The one and two bedroom rented apartments will be served with 90 car parking spaces and cycle stores, with access via the existing gated site entrance off Broad Lane. Electric vehicle charging points will also be provided.
A planning statement submitted by Cloverco stated: “The development provides additional housing, thus contributing to wider housing delivery in general.
“The scheme therefore provides much-needed housing within an established residential area whilst ensuring a viable, long-term use for a number of large buildings.”
There were four objections to the scheme, expressing concerns over highway safety and additional traffic generation, increased pollution and poor air quality. A letter of support was received from Leeds Civic Trust.
Kirkstall councillors Hannah Bithell, Fiona Venner and Andy Rontree (all Lab) supported the development in principle due to a shortfall of affordable housing. But they said it should not increase congestion and pollution in the area.
A council planning officer’s report approving the application concluded: “The principle of the development is acceptable. The development is not considered to have a significant detrimental impact on neighbouring residential amenity nor upon the character or appearance of the wider street scene.”
The scheme includes new windows and solar panels and was approved subject to 18 conditions, including improved vehicle access to the site.
The plans can viewed in full here.
Wider site
Leeds City Council’s Children and Families department and Cloverco Limited last year received planning permission to turn empty student flats into accommodation for care leavers and homeless families who are already on the council housing waiting list.
Those plans affected the Abbey House, Walker House, Musgrave House, Canal House and The Maltings residences.
A planning statement submitted with the application said: “The three main causes for homelessness in the city are households required to leave living arrangements with family or friends, an end of a private sector tenancy, and domestic abuse.”
The brewery complex was originally closed in 1983, bringing to an end a 150-year tradition of brewing in the buildings. It was then used as student residences until there was a drop off in demand.
- Read WLD’s previous coverage of the Broad Lane site here.
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A minimum of 90 vehicles using Broad Lane entrance is not going to impact on congestion.
Yeah right!!! Are they mad?
Decision again made by people who don’t live in the area!
I agree!
I’d welcome the reuse of those amazing mill buildings. Perfect for rented accommodation I think. A lot of the tenants would most likely use bikes to cycle to work along the canal. The sooner this gets underway the better I think..