Aire Park, Leeds’ 24-acre mixed use development on the former Tetleys brewery site, has now opened the next phase of its much-anticipated park bringing 6200m2 of new green space to the Leeds South Bank.
Connecting the public realm in front of the Tetley building to Crown Point Road, this new park area marks the largest segment of the park to open so far, as the city prepares for what will be 8-acres of public space and the biggest new public park in the UK when it completes.
A strong landscape architectural vision has led the park’s creation, delivering a multi-purpose area for playing, exercising and relaxing, which has sustainability and ecological enhancement at its heart. Large open lawns across the park give way to intimate flowering gardens for a quieter retreat. Play mounds provide adventure for both young and old and a new woodland belt, with its dense tree planting, woodland understorey and bird boxes, will bring the new neighbourhood closer to nature. A total of 73 new trees have been planted in this phase, which include many eye-catching legacy trees and a cherry tree avenue that will blossom in the spring.
In addition to the latest opening, progress also continues on the second phase of the Aire Park masterplan which will see the park area extend to the south of Crown Point Road, adding the final hectare to the park and creating a picturesque linkway, currently entitled the Flowering Avenue.
On completion, the new development will bring over 700 new trees and 100 different types of plants to Aire Park. Including legacy trees which will grow to full maturity sooner and interventions such as bug hotels, bird boxes, and pollinating gardens to enable vital new biodiversity corridors for pollinating insects and wildlife to strengthen the city’s ecosystems.
In addition to the green space, the finished park will also feature attractions including a multi-functional year-round events space, used for outdoor markets, performances and pop-up cinema experiences, a children’s play area and a 1km exercise route.
On the opening of the new park area, Vastint UK’s Managing Director, Stephen Lindley commented:
“Bringing this beautiful new green space to the South Bank for the public to enjoy is a real milestone in the creation of Aire Park. Having recently topped out our latest in a series of commercial buildings and having welcomed our first commercial tenants, Aire Park is truly taking shape and placing itself firmly on the map of Leeds.
“As the wider development and the park continues to grow, with the addition of its event space and play area, so too will its sense of community as Aire Park becomes a go-to destination within the city to work, meet and socialise, or simple relax and enjoy nature.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:
“The opening of this new green space is a really important milestone for both the Aire Park project and the South Bank area as a whole.
“We want Leeds to be a city filled with places that are perfect for work, rest and play, and Aire Park’s lawns and gardens will give people plenty of opportunity for doing all of that and more.
“It’s also great to see the progress being made on the wider development, with a thriving, modern community now truly taking shape at Aire Park and ushering in a bright new era for one of our former industrial heartlands.”
The design and creation of the park has seen collaboration between landscaping experts including Planit Leeds, Moortown and Palmers.
Phillip Porter, Principal Landscape Architect from Planit Leeds, adds:
“Aire Park is a unique project in the UK. One that provides a once in a generation opportunity to reshape a vast disused industrial part of a city and leave an unparalleled gift to current and future generations. The Landscape Architect vision for the space is a perfect demonstration of Planit’s regenerative commitment and it’s been an enormous privilege to work alongside Vastint and a huge array of consultants to deliver the latest phase. We’re looking forward to building the next.”
On completion, the Aire Park development as a whole will span 24 acres of the city’s South Bank, delivering an expansive eight-acre public park, over 1 million sq ft of commercial space and over 1,350 high-quality homes with easy access to Leeds city centre and convenient transport routes.
To find out more about Aire Park, visit: airepark.co.uk.
This post is based on a press release issued on behalf of Vastinit UK
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