‘Let’s get on with it’ – councillors enthused by 43-storey skyscraper plans for Leeds city centre

Early plans to build a 43-storey skyscraper in Leeds city centre have been described as ‘likeable’ and ‘elegant’.
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Designs for the proposed student accommodation building on the site of the Arena Point tower went before Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel this week.

The plan, known as a “pre-application”, claims the building would house up to 700 students and would add to current tall building developments in the area around the Merrion Centre.

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Although there was support for the scheme from panel members, some expressed concerns about the future of the student accommodation market due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The Arena Point tower would be demolished under the plans. (Google Maps)The Arena Point tower would be demolished under the plans. (Google Maps)
The Arena Point tower would be demolished under the plans. (Google Maps)

Representatives of the applicants claimed there would be contingencies in the plans to help convert the accommodation into residential space, should there no longer be an active student accommodation market in future.

Coun Peter Gruen (Lab) said: “I am genuinely anxious about the amount of student accommodation in the pipeline. What do experts tell you the result of the pandemic might be in terms of student numbers?

“I would guess we might get a lot fewer overseas students while some may stay in their native cities and may work from home.

“There might be less demand than we had predicted.”

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Representing the applicants, Gary East said that under a previous student housing plans, there was a contingency outlining how the building could be converted into residential if student housing market was to fail. He added this would be subject to similar measures.

Also representing the applicants, Matt Rhodes told the meeting: “This building would come online a few years down the line when hopefully the dust has settled and we are not living in the same times as we are now.

“From the days when students would stay in somewhere like this for the first year before moving to the outer suburbs in somewhere like Headingley has shifted.

“They now spend three years in these types of developments, and Leeds has catching up to do with supply.”

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It will add to current tall building developments in the area around the Merrion Centre, including the 23-storey Symons House, 27-storey White Rose View and the 37-storey Hume House,

The 19-storey Arena Point building, formerly known as Tower House, was built in 1965. Since then the building was re-clad in the 1980s and 2000s.

Coun Gruen said: “I have noted the flexibility, and that may well be the lesson for the market in general going forward.

“I am also very impressed – the presenters used the word ‘elegant’, and I agree. It will make a positive statement. It is very well placed in a cluster of tall buildings.

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“The surrounding existing buildings – how will they be situated when all these very tall buildings surround them – the contrast may be good, but I am very much in favour of green lighting the scheme.”

Other councillors spoke up for the application.

Coun Caroline Gruen (Lab) said: “I think the scheme is very impressive, well proportioned, apparently needed and attractive in many ways.

“I think it is a good scheme.”

Coun Al Garthwaite (Lab) said: “I am in favour of it – letting the current areas where there are a lot of students living revert to a more balanced population is better in many ways.

“I like the scheme.”

Coun Neil Walshaw (Lab) added: “I have a few concerns about the size of student accommodation – but there is a lot in a similar vein.

“More power to their elbow – let’s get on with it.”

More detailed versions of the plans are expected to be submitted in the coming months, and will ultimately go back to the panel for a final decision.