The next stage in the South Bank regeneration scheme has been given the green light, with Leeds City Council unanimously granting planning permission for X1 South Bank, a £210m mixed-use development by developer X1 and property consultancy Knight Knox
X1 South Bank is set to be completed over five phases and is intended to provide a brand-new neighbourhood in the heart of the regeneration area, complete with 928 residential apartments, cafes and restaurants, in addition to office and retail space.
X1’s planning and design team – which includes DK Architects, Turley Associates, Planit-IE, Savills and Hydrock – has worked in unison with the council to ensure that the development meets all requirements for publicly accessible green space and amenities and achieves its objective of creating a thriving new sustainable community hub.
Located on the former Evans Halshaw site on Hunslet Road, the development has access to all local transport links, including Leeds Station – and ultimately its HS2 service – the motorway network and Leeds’ free water taxi service.
Leeds City Council is transforming South Bank through a project that will double the size of Leeds city centre by delivering 8,000 homes and 35,000 new jobs.
Designed with Leeds’ residents in mind, X1 South Bank will contain a mixture of apartment types, including one- to three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, as well as two- and three-bedroom townhouses. Amenities in the development will include generous balconies, roof terraces, on-site gyms, resident-only podium gardens, landscaped green space and secure basement parking.
Andy Phillips, commercial director at Knight Knox, said: “We’re delighted that planning has been approved for X1 South Bank. It’s a truly landmark development that’s set to transform this currently vacant area of the city and we can’t wait for it to start taking shape.
“We’re committed to providing high quality residential and commercial property for investors, tenants and local communities, and X1 South Bank is no exception – it’ll play an important role in Leeds’ future.”
Melissa Green, operations director at X1, commented: “Leeds is booming and we’re so proud to officially say we’re going to play a significant part in its growth with X1 South Bank.
“Our whole design team has made it their mission to create a development that not only offers first-rate accommodation, but that will genuinely enhance the area for the wider Leeds population by providing striking modern architecture, exciting commercial units and vibrant public space.”
Chair of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel Councillor Jim McKenna added: “The City Plans Panel was pleased to approve this significant development, which will provide a range of new housing options and public realm improvements to transform this area of the city centre in an attractive, modern and imaginative way. We look forward to watching it develop with interest.”
