Developers pledge jobs and new park in ‘lasting legacy’ for city

Leeds-based developers have been working with Chamber of Commerce and council leaders on a scheme to bring thousands of new jobs to an area around the Thorpe Park business park, Colton.

Around 4,000 people already work there and it is hoped a proposed second phase business park will create many more.

There is room for several thousand new homes in the area but developers have emphasised it is very early days and planning applications have yet to submitted.

The proposals are being put forward as a long-term project that will see some developments within two years with more to follow over the next 10 years.

A spokeswoman for the developers – GMI Group and Scarborough Group – said the aim was to leave a “lasting legacy” in an area of Leeds which has not had its share of regeneration.

“The aim of the project is to kick-start economic and social opportunities for the community of east Leeds at a time of limited public funding,” said a spokeswoman.

Private sector money will be used to fund new learning facilities, a major park and sporting facilities, green space and other community projects in the area.

Comprising the land around and north of Thorpe Park, the scheme – called New East Leeds – is ready to begin shortly.

Over the next two years developers say they will provide:

A 110-acre public park, with sports facilities and open green space.

A revitalised Thorpe Park, with a focus on manufacturing, logistics, production, financial and business services sectors.

New homes at the former Vickers plant in Cross Gates – and other areas.

An extended road through Thorpe Park from the M1 to Austhorpe at Manston Lane, which will divert the traffic flow away from Cross Gates and serve new developments.

The spokeswoman said: “Alongside new housing development, an apprenticeship company will be established where young people are funded to work in local businesses and the Leeds universities and colleges will provide level 4 qualifications for young people and adults in the area.

Gary Williamson, chief executive of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The local authority has recognised the challenges in east Leeds and there has been some investment in the area.

“However, in this new era of limited public funding we need to look at new ways of tackling regeneration and economic development and only the private sector has the potential to deliver a project of this scale.

“Recognising that Leeds needed to adopt a new approach to regeneration, the Chamber went on a fact-finding mission to the USA to discover their approach to planning, revitalising and delivering large-scale developments in urban areas.

“NEL will adopt a similar model, with the public and private sector working in partnership to achieve a shared vision and common objectives, whilst using the Chamber as a broker to smooth away any difficulties.

“NEL will see developers, builders and consultancies delivering the funding for projects for the residents and workforce of east Leeds, whilst complementing and enhancing existing local priorities such as the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Enterprise Zone in the Aire Valley.”

“By building on the existing success of Thorpe Park, NEL will act as a catalyst for change in that part of Leeds.

“It is not simply about physical regeneration, but the social and economic transformation of an area that has not reached its full potential and which can help drive the future economic growth of Leeds and the wider City Region.”

The next stage will be a consultation process before plans are formally submitted.