Leeds City Council Approves £600m Shopping Development

Leeds City Council has approved a plan presented by developer Hammerson for a £600m shopping development in the Eastgate area of Leeds, UK, intended to regenerate a large section of the city centre.

The Eastgate redevelopment has been on hold since February 2009 due to the economic crisis. Hammerson has revised its plans to exclude the residential element, cinema, hotel and church.

The new 92,900m² scheme is intended to include retail brands like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, as well as 130 other retail and restaurant units.

The scheme includes a new civic square and the pedestrianisation of all the streets within Eastgate Quarters.

The project also includes the restoration of historic buildings, a two-level shopping arcade, refurbished offices and the largest shopper car park in the city with around 2,500 spaces.

A low-carbon energy centre, which will provide the heating, cooling and electricity required by the development, for the scheme has also been approved by councillors.

The project is expected to be complete by 2015.