McLaren Living is granted a resolution to approve full planning permission from Leeds City Council for Beck Yard, an £85m Build to Rent development in Leeds. The national developer is under offer with a funding partner. Planning was submitted earlier this year, and construction is anticipated to begin in autumn 2022.
Designed by Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher (CJCT), Beck Yard will transform a vacant, former car park site into a vibrant, residential led neighbourhood. Residents will benefit from excellent sustainable links into the city centre, local amenities, and great connections to local and national transport hubs.
The scheme will deliver 375 new Build to Rent apartments and extensive communal, amenity and co-working space, supporting the growth of Leeds. Proposals also include solar PV across the site, and around 220 cycle spaces and 46 car parking spaces which all have electric charging points.
Water Lane is anchored on high-quality public realm, landscaping and a mix of engaging communal and amenity spaces. It focuses on the resident experience – to create a sense of community and a sustainable thriving new quarter of the city.
Beck Yard will include 30,000 sq ft of external amenity space and 7,000 sq ft of internal amenity. It will include a gym, shared workspaces, residents’ lounges, events areas as well as roof gardens on the 1st, 9th, and 14th floors.
The ground level will feature gardens with a rich biodiverse mix of plants to achieve net ecological benefits. In the building, a vibrant concierge area will provide a welcoming space to sit, relax and meet, which also connects to the residents’ gym. The first-floor flexible amenity space at Beck Yard’s will connect directly to extensively landscaped communal space, along with co-working space, private dining area and a spinning/yoga studio.
“We’re extremely excited to move forward with our plans for Beck Yard and to work with Leeds City Council to deliver this landmark development, providing high quality yet attainable new homes to the city of Leeds.
“It’s an excellent time to be working in the city. Leeds is one of the UK’s fastest growing cities, forecast to grow by 21% over the next ten years. It is rapidly becoming a headquarters location and the arrival of Channel 4, the planned move to the city by the BBC, along with major corporates, demonstrate a bright future.
“Beck Yard is one of two schemes we’re committed to delivering in Leeds and we anticipate receiving strong rental demand for our high-quality experience-led living.”
Matthew Biddle, Managing Director, McLaren Living
The site is located in the circa £500m South Bank regeneration area – a rapidly emerging residential and mixed-use quarter in Leeds city centre. The regeneration will provide around 35,000 new jobs, 8,000 new homes and over 1.2 million sq ft of office space – and is one of the largest city centre development plans in Europe.
The development and the wider area have a rich industrial heritage. The high-quality residential architecture and public realm will open up the historic Grade II listed Midland Mills, and will potentially connect directly to a neighbouring development.
