This is the £40m student scheme in Leeds that aims to put mental health first

Pickard Properties’ 604-bed scheme at Carlton Hill in Leeds, will replace a four-floor, 239-bed development that it built on the same site in 2001.

Featuring larger than standard bedrooms and living spaces, the accommodation incorporates a series of three-storey sky gardens which provide social and common study spaces for clusters of apartments.

The ‘fresh air’ theme is continued at ground floor level with a courtyard, creating a mixture of natural interactive spaces.

Miles Pickard, director of Pickard Properties, said: “It is an intelligent design where affordability and mental health were prime drivers.

“We have worked very closely with Leeds University to ensure the design focused strongly on the mental health and wellbeing of students and encouraged social circulation and interaction throughout the accommodation by the inclusion of carefully planned spaces both within the building and externally.

“It is essential that students have safe and secure spaces where they can socialise in addition to their own study bedroom.

He added: “It is also important for the City of Leeds to be able to offer a high standard of accommodation both to students with mainstream accommodation budgets as well as overseas students, who often have more extensive budgets.

“We want to help forge strong and happy memories of their time in Leeds.”

Quod Planning, which has offices in Leeds and London, was responsible for the submission of the planning application.

Construction is due to start on site in autumn 2020 following the appointment of a contractor.

The project is due for completion in the summer of 2023 in preparation for the start of the new academic year in September.