Hotel and office complex plans mean demolition on parts of Grade II site

A HISTORIC building in the centre of Yorkshire’s biggest city could be partly demolished if proposals going before planning chiefs next week get the green light.

The scheme, to be decided by Leeds City Council’s city plans panel, is part of a multi-million pound plan to create a hotel and office complex within three grade II-listed council buildings – Leonardo Building, Thoresby Building and Great George Street Building – in Leeds city centre.

The applicant wants to create serviced offices, two hotels, including one completely new building, and family-friendly public spaces.

But developers have to get special permission for the scheme as it involves the part-demolition of the Thoresby and Leonardo Buildings, both of which are Grade II listed.

However, a report by city council officials ahead of next week’s meeting made clear that the older part of the Leonardo Building would not be affected.

Plans include a “premium hotel” and offices as well as opportunities for bars, cafes and restaurants on the ground floor. There would also be a new-build hotel in what is currently a car park.

The report stated: “Officers consider that the level of demolitions and alterations will be likely to lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of these designated heritage assets and the character of the City Centre Conservation Area, and as such the proposals can be justified.

“There is a presumption against the granting of planning permissions for the schemes requiring the demolition of listed buildings unless it can be demonstrated that the public benefits outweigh the harm including securing its optimum viable use.”

The city plans panel will meet to discuss the application in Civic Hall on Thursday, August 23.