Leeds: Plans for student flats to replace shopping centre

If approved, the plans would create student accommodation, two new streets and new commercial units

A Leeds shopping centre could be demolished under plans set for approval by the council.

The proposal would see student flats and commercial units replace The Core Shopping Centre on The Headrow.

Two new streets, linking Lands Lane with King Charles Street between the three proposed blocks, would be created as part of the development.

A report to the City Plans Panel said the shopping centre had struggled to attract retailers in recent years.

The Core was built in 1987 and was formerly known as the Headrow Shopping Centre.

A report said the shopping centre had struggled to attract retailers

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a report suggests the construction of the Trinity and Victoria Gate shopping centres had impacted its ability to fill its retail space.

It said: "Many key stores are vacant, significant sections are totally vacant and a number of other occupiers have confirmed their intention to vacate the building when their leases end."

The proposal, which would go before the panel on Thursday, seeks to completely redesign the site, using classical architecture as inspiration to create three buildings.

The report said: "This suits the Chicago-style former Direct Line House directly to the north and the Italianate free style classical buildings on the south side and along Lands Lane."

The upper floors of the new buildings, which are within a 20-minute walk of three university sites, would be used for student accommodation.

The buildings would be within a 20-minute walk of three university sites

The report said: "There have been a number of student residential developments completed within the north of the city centre in recent years, for example in the vicinity of the Merrion Centre.

"These have been successfully accommodated in a busy city centre context without causing amenity issues or conflict with existing businesses and civic uses."

Developers AFAS The Core and Fusion Global Management applied for planning permission, after complications over the ownership of parts of the land were resolved.

The panel was recommended to defer and delegate the application for approval by the chief planning officer.

Approval would be subject to conditions, which included financial contributions under a Section 106 planning agreement.