Plans for ‘landmark’ Kirkstall Road housing scheme

Plans to transform Leeds wasteland into a “landmark” development of hundreds of homes in Kirkstall have been released.

Transcript

00:00Are you one of the thousands of road users travelling through this part of Kirkstall each day?

00:07You may not have given the corner of Kirkstall Road and Viaduct Road a second look,

00:11but it could look a lot different in the coming years with developer Foreshore Group

00:16presenting early stage plans to Leeds City Council to build on the wasteland.

00:21Described as a landmark development of hundreds of homes,

00:24the housing and retail scheme would include 509 apartments along with a cinema, cafes, a bakery and yoga studio.

00:32Five blocks of up to 12 storeys would be created at the site with a shared garden and public square.

00:39A planning report says that the site's position on the edge of the city centre

00:42and a major route into the city demands a building of some presence.

00:47The developer said the design of the scheme would be in keeping with the industrial past of the site,

00:53formerly an ironworks.

00:55The plot has been vacant since it was hit by the Boxing Day floods of 2015,

01:00and flood defence work has since been carried out.

01:03Foreshore Group said new trees and play spaces would be part of a pedestrian route

01:07through the site towards the River Eyre.

01:10The report by Olya Smirthwaite Architects said that a generous number of trees and street planting

01:15would create a boulevard for pedestrian travel and a pleasant space for retail units to spill out.

01:20People living in the development would have access to a 24-hour concierge service,

01:25private dining areas and co-working spaces.

01:28The developer is in pre-application negotiations with the council,

01:32with 246 one-bed, 219 two-bed and 33 three-bed flats proposed.

01:40Nine commercial units for independent retailers are included in the scheme.