Project news

We are delighted our scheme for Sweet Street West, Leeds, has been consented by Leeds City Council planning committee. This marks a major milestone in bringing forward this landmark new mixed-use masterplan in the heart of Leeds’ south bank regeneration area, for Build-to Rent (BTR) developer and operator PLATFORM_.

Signalling long-term investment in the region that represents a value of £500m, the development – set across eight acres – will accelerate the regeneration of the South Bank area by delivering a mixed-use quarter on a brownfield site which has been vacant since 2009. PLATFORM_ will now start enabling works alongside detailed design and a construction tender process for the first phase of the development, with the aim to start on site later in 2023.

Consent was given following a proactive and engaged process with the council and its members, which saw the proposals presented at Leeds Plans Panel three times for critical feedback. The site – which is owned freehold by PLATFORM_ – is under a ten-minute walk from Leeds Central rail station.

The hybrid application, which will deliver over 1.3million square-feet of development, consists of  1350 residential apartments, including 451 BTR apartments during the first phase. Amenities include a gym, residents’ lounges, dedicated co-working space, private dining suite, extensive outdoor space and roof terraces incorporating outdoor exercise space, children’s play areas and pet-friendly facilities. Residents will also benefit from multiple electric vehicle car charging points and car club parking spaces.

A further 900 homes will be delivered in a second phase. The masterplan also includes two new office buildings of 96,000sq ft and 48,000sq ft respectively, with floorplates of up to 15,000 sq ft. PLATFORM_ is targeting BREEAM Excellent for the Grade A office buildings.

The new neighbourhood has been designed with green space throughout and placemaking initiatives are carefully woven into the masterplan, to create a flagship destination for people to live, work and socialise. The Sweet Street development incorporates the refurbishment of historic pub The Commercial and creates a new neighbourhood hub which will offer additional dining and entertainment options, and dedicated amenities for residents around a newly created public square.

The Sweet Street development is energy conscious and sustainably designed. It will combine renewable energy sources, smart in-home technologies and energy efficient heating and lighting systems, creating a low carbon development that supports the city’s ambition to become net zero carbon by 2038. This includes the use of air source heat pumps, sustainable urban drainage, green roofs and solar panels across the development.

  • Partner at DLG Architects, David Bailey, said “Leeds City Council’s approval is a real milestone for the collective team, the culmination of several years of work and a green light for the revival of this very tired piece of Leeds into a thriving and lively place to live and work.”

 

  • Matt Willcock, Development Director at PLATFORM_, said  “Throughout the planning process, we have positively engaged with Leeds City Council to ensure that our vision gives the city what it truly needs, and we are thrilled that they share our vision so that we can now, together, make it a reality.  As we progress our sustainable community, we’re looking forward to continuing our positive relationships with the local authority, stakeholders and importantly, the local community.”

The multi-disciplinary project team included LDA Design (Landscape Architecture), Zerum (Planning Consultancy), Meinhardt (Structural Engineering) and Engineers CGP (MEP and Building Services).

Read more about the scheme here.

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