Leeds City Council has given the go-ahead for CEG’s plans to deliver the first phase of residential development at the £400m Kirkstall Forge
The plans will deliver 213 homes as part of Kirkstall Forge, including 77 houses offering three to five-bedroom family living, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
The unique style of architecture is inspired by the local stone of the old forge building and Kirkstall Abbey and space and light are maximised with high ceilings and tall windows.
Two additional apartment buildings have also been proposed which are set over nine floors. Designed by residential architecture firm, Cartwright Pickard, they will provide 136 studios to three-bed apartments with 1,350 sq m of leisure and retail space on the ground floor.
Council officers stated that the development would “provide residential units of architectural merit and detail”.
CEG secured Reserved Matters (detailed) planning permission for 135 homes in 2019 and, as part of that permission, constructed two prototype homes. These will be thoroughly tested by the team once Covid-19 permits.
This new application leaves housing design unchanged, but by removing four of the homes this has enabled the two apartment buildings to be redesigned. Slightly taller, with upper floors set back to minimise the visual effect, more apartments are offered.
‘Tailored build for rent apartments’
James Shimwell, head of residential development at CEG, said: “The redesigned apartments mean we can deliver tailored build for rent apartments, managed by the Forge Life on-site team, which will bring new residents onto site very quickly
“By including shops, leisure facilities and food and drink outlets on the ground floor, set around a public plaza and pocket park for pop up events, outdoor screenings and exercise classes, it will bring even more vitality to this exciting development.
“Through the consultation we’ve had some great feedback and look forward to progressing the next phase.”
Peter Cartwright, founding director at Cartwright Pickard, commented: “Using materials which complement the wider masterplan, we have sought to celebrate the industrial heritage of the Forge using high-quality materials that will weather well as part of a vibrant development”
Michael Hepburn, senior director at project consultant Lichfields, added: “It’s great to see another phase of this exciting development progress towards construction.
“It’s particularly pleasing to gain this support for the first phase of residential development at Kirkstall Forge as the vision for this mixed-use scheme takes shape.”
Kirkstall Forge will provide up to 1,450 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.
Work is expected to commence later this year.
