New build plans for Wellington Place

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Developer MEPC is preparing to submit a detailed planning application for two new office buildings at the 22 acre Wellington Place development site in Leeds

Rick de Blaby, chief executive of MEPC, said work could start next year if the plans are accepted.

It is understood that the sale of key buildings within MEPC's portfolio, including Benson House, will be used to fund the two buildings which total £24m.

The development is on the site of the Leeds Central railway station, which closed in the mid-20th century and is the largest development site within West End Leeds.

Developer MEPC has already invested £1m to turn part of Wellington Place into a what is described as a "city centre resource" with urban gardens, landscaping and a five-aside football pitch until work resumes on the development.

The latest work outlined a new walkway, Wellington Place Boulevard, and exposed the view of the historic lifting tower from Whitehall Road.  It also opened up Northern Street to create more open space surrounding the site. 

Chief executive Rick de Blaby said that too many developers were leaving large, undeveloped sites as eyesores.

At the end of 2008, MEPC received outline planning permission for the third phase of the development which includes two office buildings – the 120,000 sq ft No 3 Wellington Place, which will cost £20m to develop and the 25,000 sq ft No 10 Wellington Place, which will cost £4m.

Detailed planning applications are due to be submitted Leeds City Council in the next six weeks.

The height of the total 2.6m sq ft scheme has been reduced by half since the economic downturn with no building rising above six floors.

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