MEPC’s 9 Wellington Place office development in Leeds city centre has been given the green light by planners.
The building, which boasts sustainability features such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, will provide 176,413 sq ft of office space and 6,851 sq ft of ground floor retail and leisure space.
In a relatively rare move for a development of this scale, councillors at Leeds City Council unanimously agreed for the planning application to be determined by delegated powers rather than by the council’s planning committee.
Paul Pavia, commercial director at MEPC, said: “We are delighted that Leeds City Council has approved the 9 Wellington Place development. At MEPC, we pride ourselves on building to the highest standards of design and sustainability, and 9 Wellington Place is a shining example of this commitment.
“Alongside 11 and 12 Wellington Place, it will be one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK, with its carbon emissions rate set to be 35% less than the standard building regulations target emissions rate, and an additional 15% less than the local planning requirement.
“We’ve been seeing high levels of demand for top-quality office space that puts sustainability at its heart, so are very glad to be able to meet the needs of the region’s business community by delivering 9 Wellington Place.”
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, added: “The development of Wellington Place and its part in the wider regeneration of the West End has been critical to Leeds’s continued growth as a major centre for employment at the heart of the UK, as well as our post-pandemic recovery.
“This latest phase of the scheme will bring significant job opportunities, chiming perfectly with our aim of driving inclusive growth for all while also enhancing Leeds’s regional, national and international reputation as a great place to live and do business.
“It’s really pleasing to see MEPC putting environmental performance at the core of the building design, which in turn contributes to our ambitions to be a net zero city by 2030. We will watch with interest as 9 Wellington Place starts to take shape and eventually becomes another high-profile and welcome addition to our city’s skyline.”
Tony O’Brien, partner at Sheppard Robson, the architect for 9 Wellington Place, said: “It’s fantastic to see 9 Wellington Place, an important project for Leeds, progressing thanks to this latest milestone. We have been involved in the wider Wellington Place development for some time and its impact on the rejuvenation of the city centre cannot be underestimated.
“9 Wellington Place puts the latest in building design at the forefront and benefits from a clear vision to create a highly sustainable development for this key, gateway site.”
