Ambitious placemaking and regeneration in Leeds

Leeds is one of the most diverse economies, as well as being one of the fastest growing and greenest cities in the UK.

Historically a city with a strong industrial past, the city now boasts a number of major regeneration programs which have secured and aided with good employment growth, public and private sector investment and business and residential growth. Of course our industrial heritage is still so relevant, and many of the schemes have worked hard to preserve and stitch together both the future and past of the city to showcase a brighter and more inclusive future.

One area of the city where this is clear is South Bank, Leeds – one of Europe’s most exciting sustainable growth locations, and one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes. The transformation in this area over the last decade has been substantial – we have linked the communities of Hunslet and Holbeck to the city centre, bringing them closer in through creating a new destination that has unlocked the delivery of new homes, a transformed Leeds station, a new park and critically good jobs.

It has not been plain sailing throughout, with the pandemic and remaining uncertainly over high speed rail throwing challenges at the programme. However through resilience and partners working with the true Team Leeds ethos, the last 12 months has seen huge progress and milestones hit – from the first stages of our city park green spaces and new office space, along with the start of work on the £46.1 million Leeds Station Masterplan and our favourite the new David Oluwale bridge - creating so much more connection beyond the physical.

 This week, a new development plot comes to the market within this now established area of the city – land at Meadow Lane, a former city centre car parking site, is being marketed as an opportunity for mixed residential scheme siting as a gateway to the largest city centre park in the UK.

Angela Barnicle chief officer for asset management and regeneration at Leeds City Council said:

“South Bank, Leeds is a hugely important site, at a historic gateway to the city which offers a wealth of opportunities and benefits to the whole of the city.

“This year has seen some big names move into this area of the city, including the newly announced EMI North, along with future plans for British Library North in Temple Works, and we are really pleased to be able to welcome UKREiiF back in May 2023.

“Throughout the rest of this year we will see the latest stages of the city park being completed, and more of our green and grey infrastructure projects realised as we continue to build on our people-focused approach to infrastructure delivery in the area.”

The South Bank is paving the way for work being undertaken around the Innovation Arc and bringing forward the clear innovation vision for Leeds. Work to consult and adopt the Supplementary Planning Document for the Innovation Arc is under way – it sets a vision for the physical changes to the area, and our ambitions for improvements to public spaces, roads, walking and cycling links, public transport routes and building across the area which is the equivalent size of 175 football pitches.

Commenting on the importance of the Innovation Arc SPD in Leeds, Angela shared:

“The Leeds Innovation Arc will be the city centre interpretation of a science park, formed around the established natural anchors of our leading research and teaching universities, the proposed new build adult and children’s hospitals, and major private sector partners.

“The SPD will help us shape and guide the future for the area as a city by looking at shaping the delivery of new infrastructure as well as supporting funding bids to drive the ecosystem both in and outside of the Arc.

“We’ve worked hard across the city over the last five years to grow our strong and thriving innovation ecosystem in collaboration with key partners across the city, with this work already delivering significant results."

There’s a buzz in the city, there has been for some time, and we are so proud of what Team Leeds has and continues to deliver now and into the future. Keep your eye on our city for what’s next in the unofficial capital of Yorkshire.