More details of the plans for the old Yorkshire Post building site have been revealed by the developers.
In a pre-planning application meeting with Leeds City Council, the developers said they planned to integrate the iconic Yorkshire Post clock tower into the plans if it was possible. They also want to plant a ‘microforest’ on the site to support biodiversity in the area.
The developers said they would ideally want to reuse the clock from the tower but would have to make sure it was actually possible to retrieve.
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The ‘microforest’ would be a green space in the development made up of a diverse set of trees and plants. It is hoped the wood could provide homes for multiple different types of insects.
There would be three separate buildings constructed on the site with one being student accommodation and the other two being residential. 61% of the site would be made up of public access areas with access to the waterfront.
Councillor Graham Latty (Con) said: “Over recent years we’ve had a bit of a dull time, we haven’t had some of the super buildings we were getting. Today has been a bit like a renaissance and we’ve had a couple of really nice applications.
“I congratulate you on this, in spite of the questions that might have been directed at it I think that here you’ve got something which is going to really enhance an important spot in Leeds.”
Councillor Neil Walshaw (Lab) also approved of the plans, especially the focus on the environment. He said: “This was excellent, it was really clear with lots of answers.”
He went on to say: “I’m just really keen to see it developed into a full application with an appropriately strong story to tell on the climate emergency, that’s going to be essential for us.”
The plan is yet to be submitted and so remains subject to change. Councillors voted in favour of the current application and so a more detailed planning application is likely to be submitted in the near future.
