New Leeds centre urban quarter finds favour with planners

A new urban quarter on the western fringes of Leeds city centre has been approved in principle by councillors. Councillors on the city centre plans panel yesterday approved the early proposals for the stalled Bankside development on the former Yorkshire Chemicals site - off Kirkstall Road and Wellington Road. A revised outline proposal for access roads and a mixed-use development, with apartments and town houses, flats, restaurants and leisure and community uses, with a multi-storey car park, underground parking, public open spaces, a riverside walkway and a nature corridor were largely welcomed. Initial plans for the site - which, unusually, is on both sides of the River Aire - were first submitted back in 2006. Head of planning services Martin Sellens said there had been discussions with other developers about transforming a number of sites off Kirkstall Road into a new residential, business and leisure area which would act as an extension of the city centre. He added: "It's hoped that this plan will act as a catalyst to help regenerate that whole area off Kirkstall Road." Adel and Wharfedale Conservative Clive Fox said: "I am broadly supportive of the scheme. I don't think I have seen a development like this on such an unusual site before." City and Hunslet Labour councillor Elizabeth Nash raised concerns about the flat-roofed townhouses, but said that the area was an eyesore and shoyld be developed as soon as possible. Labour Pudsey councillor Mick Coulson said that one of the flagship buildings looked like 'Captain Nemo's submarine' and needed more work. Councillors also voiced concerns the there needed to be more greenery in the development to avoid large concrete areas such as the ones at Clarence Dock. The outline plans were passed in principle and were deferred and delegated to the chief planning officer for approval subject to a number of planning conditions being fulfilled by developer Gladedale. The developer will now work up more detailed proposals for final approval of the scheme, which would be delivered in phases over a number of years. Waterfront development passed Revised plans to demolish the Mission Hut and 28 The Calls and transform existing buildings on The Calls into a bar/restaurant and five-storey office block with basement car parking were approved in principle. Councillors last month deferred the application - the last part of the jigsaw of new developent on Leeds' waterfront - because of concerns over the height of the western block, lack of greenery and landscaping issues on the public open space and the appearance of windows in the eastern block. The revised plans addressed those issues and councillors agreed a five-year planning consent, although a proposed pedestrian crossing across The Calls which is part of the application will be brought back to panel for further discussion. Final approval of the scheme was deferred and delegated to the chief planning officer, subject to a number of conditions. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.