A Restless Bunch

Montpellier Estates has submitted a planning application for a new site known as the 10 acre City One that is planned to be erected near the Leeds southern entrance of town.

The application from the development and investment company calls for a two million sq ft space for mixed use development that includes retail and residential units, a hotel, office space rental, restaurants, and in line with new gambling legislation a large casino.

In 2008 the site was short listed for use as the new Leeds arena, but in a controversial move the Leeds City Council cancelled its permission during the procurement process in late 2008, instead appointing itself as the lead developer of the arena that would be built at Claypit Lane on a plot of land owned by the council.

Chairman of Monpellier Estates, Jan Fletcher, stated that the City One site is thought to be one of the most prestigious and strategic upcoming development sites throughout the North of England, which is displayed by the fact that despite the economic downtown the development site has still attracted interest from investors.

Fletcher went on to state that the strength of the site is largely due to its business location, which is directly next to the motorways and within easy accessible walking distance of the train station. She stated that the company’s vision is to create a new stellar skyline that will mark the Leeds‘ southern gateway.

Additionally, the site should help to boost the council’s goal to regenerate the city by linking the city centre with Beeston and Holbeck, and creating numerous new jobs with the office development and other units.