This 23 hectare (65 acre) site is arguably the largest single mixed development project in Leeds. The Commercial Estates Group acquired the land in 2003 from the US-based engineering group Dana for £8 million. Kirkstall Forge has seen several hundred years of continuous industrial use, and was purchased with full liability as contaminated land.
After considerable public consultation an outline planning application number 24/96/05/OT was submitted in February 2005 for 1,385 new homes, 16,518 sqm (177,800 sq ft) office floorspace, and support facilities including bars, restaurants, small-scale retail, health and fitness, banking, crèche, social and community uses, a riverside hotel, and conversion of the Grade II listed Lower Forge building to provide food and drink facilities. The Plans Panel granted outline permission in April 2006, subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement, although a decision letter has not yet been issued.
The scheme may include a railway halt, and is likely to be integrated into the A65 quality bus initiative. The company must now convert their outline consent into detailed full permissions. So far, they have a good track record on public consultation. The company are preparing a public website at http://www.kirkstallforge.com although this wasn't fully operational last time we checked.
Back to the top