1000-home development submitted for historic Leeds site

Plans for a 1000-home development on the site of Leeds’ first train station have been submitted by Rushbond Homes.

The Leeds City Village scheme has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects and plans to deliver over 1,000 new homes as well as a mix of commercial, leisure and amenity space.

Situated at the former Marsh Lane Goods Yard, which sits between Marsh Lane and Shannon Street, it will feature a series of new buildings alongside new areas of public realm and landscaped spaces.

The Marsh Lane Goods Yard is important in the social and cultural history of Leeds, being the site of the City’s first ever railway station in 1834.

Rushbond says the initiative is part of a masterplan which proposes a series of ‘development opportunities’ to the East of the City Centre. It connects into the wider plans for the regeneration of the Kirkgate District of the City and developments around Quarry Hill including the new Leeds City College Campus and Leeds Playhouse.

Mark Finch, real estate director of Rushbond, who have been involved with several regeneration projects in the city, said: ‘This is a massively exciting initiative to help meet the growing needs of an ambitious and dynamic City for quality new homes through a careful and considered masterplan over the full extent of the Goods Yard site – but, most importantly, connecting into and stimulating further investment into the East Side of the City Centre, supporting the growing creative community at Kirkgate alongside.

‘The alliance brings together two companies with a track record of delivering high-quality new homes in the city.’

Chris Austin, managing director of architects Brewster Bye, said: ‘This is a tremendous and exciting opportunity to expand the City Centre eastwards, through the delivery of an exemplar high quality mixed-use development, which promotes stronger connections with the existing surrounding communities. It will combine homes, workspaces and amenities on a gateway site, which is seen by so many when travelling into the City Centre each day.’