Leeds university given green light to expand city centre campus
Planners have given the go-ahead for Leeds Beckett University to expand its campus after wind safety measures were agreed.
A new building on land near the Rose Bowl in the city centre will house the university's school of the Built Environment, Engineering and Computing (BEEC).
Leeds City Council granted planning permission in February 2025, subject to conditions including measures to protect wind safety on nearby Portland Way.
The university also agreed to make financial contributions towards nearby road traffic improvements.
Leeds Beckett said bringing its BEEC facilities together on one site would improve teaching for its students.
A design report said: “Co-locating the school will also result in improved efficiency of the school’s teaching through reduced travel between campuses, saving time and money for students and staff benefit.
“Modern teaching facilities will also assist the school to produce graduates who possess high-level industry skills.”
The agreement means outline planning permission, which gives consent in principle, is granted for the project.
Further design details would still need to be agreed as part of a reserved matters application.
The proposed site is part of the university campus and currently used as a car park.
The report said: “A number of options have been considered but, due to the size of the school and the resulting footprint required, no other suitable spaces exist within the current estate to form a home for the school.”