Consultation on Leeds's South Bank vision goes to extra time

A major Leeds City Council public consultation exercise that will shape the regeneration of the area was due to finish on November 15.

But today council bosses announced that the consultation has been extended until the start of December – a decision prompted by the “really positive” reaction since its launch in August.

Council leader Coun Judith Blake said: “The number of responses which we have received through the public consultation to the proposed regeneration plans of the South Bank has been really positive.

“With that in mind and wanting to ensure that everyone has the chance to comment on the plans if they wish, we have taken the decision to extend the public consultation to December 2.

“As before we will also be holding a number of drop-in events in and around the South Bank.

“These will offer another great opportunity for people to have a look and help shape what will be the biggest change to Leeds in over a hundred years as the city centre is potentially doubled in size.”

Covering a space the size of 250 football pitches, the South Bank stretches from Holbeck’s so-called ‘urban village’ to Leeds Dock.

The council’s vision for it includes the building of more than 4,000 new homes and the creation of an education hub used by around 10,000 students.

Firms such as Vastint, Burberry and Citu have already committed hundreds of millions of pounds to the area.

A redeveloped Leeds City Station capable of handling north-south HS2 and transpennine HS3 high speed rail services is another key part of the South Bank masterplan.

Consultation questionnaires can be accessed via www.southbankleeds.co.uk.