Leeds skyscraper set for planning approval

The new tower block would be on the former Yorkshire Newspapers site near the city centre

Plans to build hundreds of homes in a huge skyscraper are set to be approved.

The 46-storey block of flats, along with office space, is planned for land near Wellington Street in Leeds.

According to planning documents, a number of existing buildings would be demolished and a road repositioned to make way for the scheme, which includes 464 apartments.

Landscaping, new trees and a lawn with a play area also feature in the plans, due to be discussed on Thursday.

Planning permission is sought by developer McLaren, which had initially drawn up a smaller block of flats.

However, five more storeys had been added to the design, with nearby Skinner Street having to be repositioned as part of the scheme, according to the the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The application has attracted an objection from Leeds Civic Trust, whose concerns include the appearance of the development near former Yorkshire Post site.

It also said the development would be "too cramped, with too little outside breathing space" for the hundreds of residents.

One of the owners of the land also objected on the grounds that no agreement had been reached for the developer to buy the site.

The report said the applicant was not required to own the land in order to seek planning permission, but would need to acquire legal rights over the site to press ahead with the scheme.

The City Plans Panel is recommended to defer and delegate the application for the council's chief planning officer to approve, subject to conditions and financial contributions towards traffic schemes and nearby green space.