First Aire Park resi application lodged

Vastint UK, the developer behind the mixed-use Leeds project, has submitted plans for the first homes within the South Bank scheme.

Now filed with Leeds City Council, the plans cover the development of seven buildings on the corner of Crown Point Road and Bowman Lane. The 421 build-to-rent homes will provide a mixture of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Cartwright Pickard is the architect, while Planit-IE is the landscape architect for Aire Park.

The residential areas, currently known as Plots R2 and R3 in the site masterplan, will be accompanied by landscaping, including woodland courtyards as the developer looks to deliver a scheme also featuring an eight-acre park.

Simon Schofield, head of development at Vastint UK, said: “Following the delivery of our first commercial and mixed-use buildings, this is the next major milestone in the future of Aire Park and we’re excited to be a step closer to our goal of creating a new and diverse community on Leeds’ south bank.

“These new homes will be the first of over 1,400 once Aire Park is complete, and will sympathetically balance modern urban design with accessible public spaces.

“As progress continues, we’re looking forward to seeing the Aire Park community grow and are keen to help it evolve and develop its own unique identity and place within the city.”

Luke Petty, project director at Cartwright Pickard, said: “R2 and R3 is a place where the city’s past meets the present. These low energy homes have been integrated into the park landscape, combining the foundation for climate resilience with homes that complement the diverse ways in which we live today and for generations to come.”

The buildings will look to relate to neighbours such as The Tetley and Leeds Bridge House, the architect said.

The residential planning application follows structural completion of the first 200,000 sq ft of grade A office space and 20,000 sq ft of retail space on the site in February and the start on site of a new seven-storey, commercial building in May.

Alongside the residential planning application Vastint has also submitted proposals for a multistorey car park which will serve the occupants of Aire Park’s new commercial developments. The development will include 433 parking spaces along with a secure ground floor cycle hub with 516 spaces, locker provision, and bike wash / service stations.

Vastint is targeting to complete the delivery of Aire Park by 2032, at which point the area will be home to over 11,000 workers and up to 3,000 residents.

The homes will benefit from an eight-acre park. Credit: via Aberfield