Final Soyo phase heads Leeds approvals

Blocks A and D, accounting for 650 student bedspaces at Caddick Group’s Quarry Hill development have been given the go-ahead, with plans for a Premier Inn next to Kirkgate Market also greenlit.

Caddick’s project team includes ID Planning, Box Clever, DLG Architects, Fuse Architects, landscape architect re-form, Roscoe, Tate Consulting, Richard Boothroyd and Associates, Fore Consulting, Jensen Hughes, Jameson Acoustics, Stroma Building Control, Ridge and Partners and Carbon-Climate-Certified.

Both blocks will include a mix of studio and cluster flats. Block A will bring 360 student units to the neighbourhood, adding to the 291 beds due to be delivered at Block D.

Construction began on Soyo – South of York Road – in 2019, with the intent of creating a mixed-use neighbourhood of scale in Leeds’ cultural quarter.

The first two buildings, Moda New York Square, opened in 2022, comprising 551 studios and apartments.

The latest buildings, Madison East and Mercer West, being advanced for Hestia, are due to open to residents in the New Year.

Alistair Smith, associate director at Caddick Developments said: “We are pleased to receive approval on both Blocks A and D from Leeds City Council. With this, we can now progress the final phase of SOYO and complete this exemplar development that has already brought significant jobs and investment to the city.

“The consultation phase was very positive, and we received great responses to our proposals for both blocks which helped inform the final presentation of the plans to Leeds councillors.

“Through our ongoing collaboration with the local community and surrounding cultural institutions, we are already seeing the positive change that SOYO is bringing to this area of Leeds, cementing its status as an exemplar regeneration story for the city.”

Residents in the two blocks will benefit from amenities such as a 24-hour gym, keyfob secure entry, study and collaboration spaces, and rooftop gardens. The final phase of the development will also see the scheme’s landscaping plans completed.

The intention is for the development to be hooked into the Leeds district heating network.

Leeds’ city plans panel also rubber-stamped plans that will bring a modern hotel to a stretch of George Street occupied by low-level retail, as part of its plans to link its retail & leisure assets. Premier Inn was confirmed last week as the operator.

Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The plans panel’s support for the George Street scheme represents another important milestone in the regeneration of the area around Leeds Kirkgate Market and beyond.

“Leeds city centre is already a vibrant, attractive place to visit, but we want to make it even better – and the new hotel will help us achieve that aim, providing a stylish linking point between Vicar Lane, the Eastgate roundabout and Quarry Hill.”

The hotel scheme includes ground floor retail. Credit: LCC