Green light expected on fresh plans for Leeds international pool site

A report written by Leeds City Council officers claims a preferred backup bidders have been chosen to redevelop the Lisbon Street site, but the details of which have been kept hidden for commercial reasons.

The report stated such a move would continue the development of the city centre’s so-called ‘west end’, with after permission was granted in January for a 17 storey, 330,000 square foot office development on a nearby site at Wellington Street.

Shortlisted bids for the site have been reviewed, with the document recommending accepting both a preferred and a reserve bid to redevelop the site.

It added: “The disposal and development of the Lisbon Street site will provide a timely supply into the city’s construction pipeline to bring forward city centre growth as part of mixed used development.

“In doing so the disposal of the site will contribute to the outcomes of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy, specifically the target to double the size of the city centre and in doing so increase the economic output.”

On the confidential details of the bids, the report stated: “The information contained within the confidential appendix attached to this report relates to the financial or business affairs of a particular person and affected parties (including the authority holding that information).

“This information is not publicly available from the statutory registers of information kept in respect of certain companies and charities. It is therefore considered that this element of the report should be treated as exempt under access to information procedure rules.

The building had long divided opinions in Leeds, and was seen as an example of the ‘brutalist’ architectural style popular in the 1960s.

Leeds International Pool was opened in 1967, having been designed by controversial architect John Poulsen. It closed in 2007 before demolition began in 2009.

Although designed to host international swimming competitions, the 50-metre pool was just centimetres short of Olympic length regulations, meaning major events could not be held there.

The building was supposed to be replaced by a skyscraper called The Spiracle, a 24-storey apartment block, but the proposals were abandoned following a downturn in the residential property market. Since 2010, the council have operated two surface car parks on the site.

The report concluded: “The Lisbon Street site is a valuable and strategic development opportunity to further enhance the growth of Leeds city centre and support the delivery of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy.

“The marketing exercise for the disposal of the site has now been concluded and offers have been received by the Council. These have been duly considered and both a preferred and reserve bid can now be recommended to Executive Board for approval.”

Leeds City Council’s executive board is set to meet on Wednesday, March 18.