At the third time of asking, the developer’s proposal for a 164-apartment 18-storey tower on the south-eastern fringe of Leeds city centre received unanimous approval.
Considered at Leeds City Council’s 7 August city plans panel after twice being deferred, Countrylarge’s plan received nine votes in favour.
Two major changes had been made to the previous application, one on the design side and the other in the agreement to make a contribution to offsite green space.
On the former, the design put forward in the May iteration of the project is once again what the developer is proposing, with fins and inset balconies restored to the western corner of the building – as set out by LCC’s Robin Coghlan, this addresses a specific concern raised by the council’s design officer.
The developer has also agreed that the textured brickwork featured in the scheme’s lowest three floors will be extended beyond that previously proposed, being carried round to the southern elevation.
As for the green space, it has now been accepted across the board that the small on-site space does not qualify, and a sum of £206,937 has been agreed on for an off-site contribution.
Before the session was opened to debate, Coghlan summed up that the scheme as presented is policy-compliant in every way, including appropriateness of size, form and design, affordable provision, and the green pace contribution. It also plays into the broad policy goal of brownfield-first.
Councillors largely welcomed both the project and the adaptability shown by the applicant.
Cllr Colin Campbell, as ever a keen contributor to the session, said: The whole process on this site has been a useful lesson for developers – we’ve been clear on our message. Whatever other local authorities want from developers, we’ve made it clear we have very specific standards.
“We expect the best in design and facilities and expect flats to meet the standards we set. We’ve pulled back the dumbing-down of this design, and thanks to the developers for picking up on that.”
The site had a consent for 16 storeys and 150 apartments dating from 2022, since which time Countrylarge has bought the site, backed by Together. The developer then put forward a new scheme designed by Corstorphine & Wright, with Zerum advising on planning.
Recommended for approval in May, a decision was deferred with members raising questions on affordable housing and open space.
Presented with a tweaked scheme featuring design changes and featuring eight affordable homes, the July city plans panel also opted to defer a decision, asking for assurances on affordability and querying the financial contribution. The eight affordable rent flats remain in the approved iteration.
Documents relating to the scheme can be seen on Leeds’ planning portal, reference 23/07019/FU.