LDA Design's South Bank success for Leeds

Proposals to redevelop eight acres of brownfield land to establish a new mixed-use quarter in Holbeck, Leeds, have been approved by the Council’s planning committee.

Part of the city’s wider South Bank Regeneration Area, a £500m investment into Sweet Street West will redevelop the site of the former Kays Catalogue warehouse to create a lively new residential and commercial neighbourhood, with 1,350 homes set within a cohesive network of green streets and spaces. The site is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Leeds Central rail station.

The plans also include two new offices buildings, a new community hub and co-working spaces, as well as the restoration of local landmark pub, The Commercial, which closed in 2018.

LDA Design has worked with build-to-rent developer and operator, Platform_ and the design team, to create close to one hectare of high-quality public space, including a new neighbourhood square, an inviting linear park, communal courtyard gardens, tree-lined residential streets, and residential and commercial roof gardens.

The development also improves the setting of listed Former Holbeck Library, as well as connections to surrounding communities. Existing heritage architecture will be enhanced within a richer, greener setting.

Sustainability is a key driver and the low carbon development will feature energy and materials efficient homes and smart in-home technologies. This includes the use of air source heat pumps, green roofs and solar panels, and supports the city’s ambition to be net zero by 2038. Biodiverse planting including new rain gardens means that water will be well sustainably across the site. More than 200 trees will be planted, providing shade and shelter, and strengthening existing wildlife corridors.

Delighted with the result, John Simpson, LDA Design’s project lead for Sweet Street West, said: “This project will bring life to a long-neglected area of Holbeck and will be a great addition to Leeds city centre.

“LDA’s landscape design makes nature an important part of the everyday. This will be a joyful, playful place to live and work, with stepping boulders, bridges, slides, and swing seats inviting residents to explore, interact with and care for what’s around them.”

Following planning success, PLATFORM_ will commence works and detailed design with the aim to start on site later this year.