Councillors have held the first discussion over the redevelopment of the south side of Leeds city centre which could lead to thousands of jobs and a new park.
But members receiving an early report on the proposals were told that the project could take 15 years to be completed. Early plans indicate the proposed park could be the size of around five football pitches.
The proposals, which have been broken down into four phases, involve the creation of a new business district for the area, from Victoria Road to Crown Point Road.
It's hoped the wider development will aid the creation of a new city centre park, mainly on land currently owned by Leeds council and by Carlsberg-Tetley, which will be closing next year.
The councillors' discussion on the city centre plans panel was the first part of a public consultation into the creation of a draft planning statement for the Leeds south bank. And members largely welcomed the new proposals.
City and Hunslet Labour councillor Elizabeth Nash was impressed by the plans, but felt the park should be larger. She said:
"I do welcome the proposals to have a park, but it has to be meaningful and not be just another city centre square.
"If we're going to have a park people need to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. In my constituency we have Cross Flatts Park, which is very popular and well used but it is quite narrow - you never really get away from the houses at either side."
Headingley Liberal Democrat Jamie Matthews said:
"I fully welcome this, but I am trying to envisage in my mind why people working in offices to the north of the city centre would come to this park. It would have to be a proper green space, not just another square. If we're going to invest all this time, effort and money, is it going to be used?"
Green Farnley and Wortley councillor David Blackburn said the park should be the first phase of a green corridor which goes through Hunslet and then out to Armley. He added:
"I wish we could be talking about a larger piece of land, but we have got what we have got here. We need to open up the city centre even more."
Middleton Park Labour councillor Geoff Driver said:
"Compared to the rest of the city, South Leeds does not have the green-fingered geography of places like North Leeds. This is a real opportunity to connect through to Hunslet and create a real sense of a balanced environment that South Leeds has never had."
Guiseley and Menston Conservative Graham Latty said he was excited by the business opportunities that the area would bring to the city. "We need to look at the big picture," he added.
The councillors' comments will be fed into the three-month consultation process, which will lead to a formal planning statement being adopted by the council later this year.
Meanwhile, business leaders will have the chance to shape development plans for the centre of Leeds that councillors hope will help create thousands of jobs, reports thebusinessdesk.com.
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