A major development on the southern edge of the city centre could exacerbate the divide between the haves and have nots in Leeds unless proper consultation is carried out, it has been claimed.
Councillor Geoff Driver says that ambitious multi-million pound proposals for 10 buildings on the City One site need to involve residents in the nearby inner city communities of Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet.
Councillors on the City Centre Plans Panel heard how the 2 million sq ft City One development will provide grade A office space, residential and retail units, restaurants, a hotel and 'large casino' on the site, which is surrounded by Sweet Street, Meadow Road, Jack Lane and Bowling Green Terrace.
A casino/hotel building could range in height anything from 15 to 40 storeys, and there will bea tree-lined boulevard along Sweet Street and public open space.
Parking for 1,500 cars
There are also plans for a 1,100-capacity multi-storey car park and further parking for 450 cars.
Harrogate-based developer Montpellier Estates Ltd had hoped the Leeds Arena would be built on the proposed City One development site - but the council opted to build the development itself on Claypit Lane instead.
Montpellier - also the applicant for the proposed City One development - is currently suing the council for alleged breaches of public contract tendering rules in relation to the showpiece project.
Councillors heard a pre-application presentation outlining the basic details of the developmemt at their last meeting and gave their initial reaction to the proposals. A formal planning application is expected to be considered by members in August.
It's expected the development will be delivered in phases over a number of years - dependent on market conditions and the economy - should it receive permission.
Access to jobs and opportunities
Labour Middleton Park councillor Driver said it was important developers consult residents in Holbeck, Beeston and West Hunslet about the plans, so they can access jobs and opportunities and have a say in the facilities on the site.
He added:
"Historically it's been supported by an inner city residential community. People went to the pub there, they see it as part of their territory, that's why the developers must consult with them.
"It seems that this is another block of south Leeds territory that is being colonised by big business. There is no real suggestion that here is a chance to create a link between the old and the new, for instance, the park area looks as if it is only for people in that tower block - it looks inward.
"I really do worry that we have fallen into the idea that there are two Leeds and that working class south Leeds ends at the M621 and that prestigious development starts there.
"We need to create opportunities, not build walls. If we want to create opportunties for people to get jobs, they need to know that it's there, but nothing has been dicsussed with them at present."
Headingley Liberal Democrat councillor James Monaghan agreed there ought to be more integration with the community, but added:
"There is a donut of desolation around the city centre which prevents integration. I want to see how the pathways link to Beeston and Holbeck. There has to be good access."
Monaghan also said that all the different smaller green spaces in the development should be pooled together on the development, to create a larger parkland area.
Query over access to City One
Otley and Yeadon councillor Colin Campbell said that encouraging jobs for local people would be an important element to the development.
He added:
"Because there are so many people going to be coming to this development, we need to have a better understadung of how they're going to get there. If people want to walk from Leeds Station to the development, how would they get there? I'm not sure it's easy to find."
Headingley Liberal Democrat councillor Jamie Matthews added:
"I cannot see how they can claim to have a robust travel plan if you have got 1,500 car parking spaces."
Outline planning permission was initially granted in 2006 for a mixed use development including a conference centre, 'regional' casino, hotel, residential and commercial office accommodation.
What do you think about the plans? Good for Leeds but is South Leeds being ignored?
