Minister to review plan for city hotels complex

PLANS FOR a multi-million pound hotel complex that would give a facelift to historic Leeds city centre buildings are to be sent for review by the Secretary of State for Communities.

Proposals to partly demolish the Leonardo and Thoresby buildings and 2 Great George Street, near Millennium Square, were put before Leeds City Council’s city plans panel yesterday.

Two new hotels and an office block would be built in their place, with a glass roof extension on top of the listed Great George Street building. But many objected to the plans, including Historic England, which claimed the alterations would “fail to preserve the character” of the area.

In a letter to the council, the heritage body objected to all three parts of the development and claimed the proposed new building would “fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area by virtue of its form, bulk, height, massing and design”.

Other panel members also had issues with the roof extension on the Great George Street building.

Coun Dan Cohen said: “I think one of the (artist impressions) makes it look awful, and it is really out of place. For me, it is not a good development. Design is a personal choice, but in such a prime location, I believe it just doesn’t sit well.”

Coun Paul Wadsworth labelled the roof extension a “carbuncle”, while Coun Elizabeth Nash added: “I am not altogether happy with the new building.”

A report by council officers said the proposal would result in a “high quality, appropriate” development, bringing active use to important historic buildings.

The plans were passed with a vote of nine to two, but must be referred to Secretary of State James Brokenshire as Historic England submitted a statutory objection.