1,200 student flats and 10,000 square metre events space plans for Yorkshire Bank building

A presentation from Leeds City Council officers and Downing Property Services will show emerging plans to build two student accommodation blocks and a “multi-use event building” on the site in Clay Pit Lane.

One of the student blocks is expected to rise to 38 storeys, which would make it one of the tallest buildings in the city.

The second block is likely to rise to 18 storeys, with accommodation for up to 1,271 student bed spaces between the two.

A report, set to go before members, states the student accommodation buildings would be developed by Downing, the company behind the striking Broadcasting Tower in Woodhouse Lane.

An events space on the site is planned to be built at a later date by Leeds City Council.

It added: “The multi-purpose event building, located to the north of Block B, would be the third and final phase of construction.

“The multi-purpose events space would have a total floor area of approximately 9,900 square metres incorporating a main exhibition area of approximately 3,000 square metres; a conference space of circa 1,700 square metres; an 800-900 capacity auditorium; pre-function circulation space and bar areas; and supporting ancillary spaces.

“The venue is anticipated to host corporate banqueting, awards ceremonies, live entertainment, conferences and exhibitions, together with gigs and shows which require a more intimate space than is offered by the First Direct Arena, but larger capacities than existing venues in Leeds. It is estimated that it would be likely to attract between 100,000-150,000 attendees a year when fully operational.”

Plans had emerged in December 2020, when Leeds City Council announced a land deal – exchanging one of its own sites for half of the Yorkshire Bank building in anticipation of development in the coming years.

Yorkshire Bank is understood to hold a lease on the building until 2025, meaning no work on the events space can take place until then.

A document written by council officers last year suggested the events space could even be used for “indoor sports”.

As the plans are at pre-application stage, no final decision will be made on the development, and more detailed plans are expected to be submitted in the coming months.

Members of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel will meet to discuss the plans on Thursday, September 2.