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A huge “multi-generational” complex, featuring a care home, primary school and residential flats, has been given planning permission by Leeds councillors.

The complex, which will be built across land off Sayner Lane, near Leeds Dock, will be built by developers Citu.

It will feature a 72-bed care home and a block of 80 apartments as well as a nursery, cafe and the school.

It is hoped the development, inspired by similar schemes in Japan and the Netherlands where young and old mix closely, will enhance diversity in the area and encourage families to stay local.

How the proposed primary school could look.

Members of Leeds City Council’s city plans panel approved the development unanimously at a meeting this week.

The development will be car-free, barring a handful of disabled parking spaces and eight visitor spaces for the care home.

It means staff and parents taking their children to school will be discouraged from driving to the site.

Although several councillors expressed concerns about that prospect, they also praised the scheme’s green credentials and the long-term benefits of nudging people out of their cars.

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Green Party councillor David Blackburn suggested the concept would work in Leeds’ German twin city of Dortmund, which is renowned for its public transport network.

He said: “It’s a dream project is this, but we live in the realities of the world.

“I’ve got seven primary schools in my ward (Farnley and Wortley) and they all have issues with parking outside. It’s not just from parents coming from miles away, it’s people coming from 100 yards down the road.

“I think it’s a courageous project and it’s where we should be going.

He added: “I’ve got to support it, but I’m dubious we might be pushing the envelope a little bit faster than some people would want to go.”

At the meeting, Citu representatives also promised to look into the prospect of integrating a GP surgery into the scheme, after concerns were raised about a shortage of healthcare facilities for the city’s growing population.

They also said they would look to allocate some of the residential flats aside for staff at the care home, nursery and school.

'Courageous' car-free Citu plans for care home, school and flats near Leeds Dock wins approval