Leeds City College submits plans to deliver new education and sports facilities

The proposals include high-quality education facilities with supporting services, a sports complex, and a residential development. Located between Macaulay Street and Mabgate.

The scheme would transform a currently derelict 275,957sq ft site, bringing investment and regeneration to the area whilst helping to provide much-needed community facilities, the college said.

In response to significant growth over the last decade, Leeds City College has invested in new and existing campuses to provide students with 'inspiring education facilities'.

As demand for student places continues to grow, the college is looking to add the Mabgate campus to its portfolio of city centre facilities, which includes the recently opened Quarry Hill campus, located approximately five minutes’ walk from Mabgate.

Designed by Leeds-based architecture practice Cartwright Pickard, the proposed scheme remains in its early stages of development.

An outline planning application, which establishes the principles of the project, has been submitted for approval to Leeds City Council.

Whilst further project details will emerge in a future reserved matters application, the current proposals include plans to balance modern and innovative facilities with the industrial heritage of the area.

For example, the existing Victorian-era brick building, Studio 24, will be retained and sensitively uplifted to be used as an entrance to the campus, the college said.

The on-site sports complex, which will include a roof-top Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and can be used for community purposes, which the college said would go some way to meeting the high demand for additional sports facilities at the college.

The draft plans also include space for a residential block - 'helping to address the housing need in Leeds City Centre'.

Residents are being invited to visit www.leedscitycollegemabgate.co.uk, where they can learn more about the proposals and submit their feedback on the outline plans. The consultation will formally close on Sunday September 13, but the website will remain live until a planning decision is made.

Bill Jones, Principal at Leeds City College, commented: “Our ambition on Mabgate is to deliver a campus which will enhance the learning experience of our students and be widely used by members of the local community.

“These new facilities will complement our existing city centre campuses and provide our students with much needed additional teaching space. The new sports complex will be an essential element of this project and establish Leeds City College as a destination for sport studies.

“The development will bring investment and regeneration to the area, and is anticipated to act as a catalyst for further investment in this part of Leeds.

“We are thrilled to be bringing forward these plans and are asking members of the community to participate in our ongoing consultation to help shape the future details of the campus.”

Joanna Gabrilatsou, Director of Planning at consultants JLL Planning, commented: “The site is an ideal location for the proposed Mabgate campus. Situated in close proximity to the city centre, it will be accessible to students from across the city using nearby transport hubs, providing them with access to the high-quality education experience they deserve.

“The site has received a number of consents for housing schemes over the years, but this proposal would be beneficial to the city’s student population and the local community, whilst regenerating a redundant brownfield site with state-of-the-art buildings.”

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Thank you

Laura Collins