Clarence Dock

[Robbo]

http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=68949

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

 

1.1 This pre-application presentation relates to New Dock (formerly Clarence Dock),

South Bank, Leeds. The proposals will be presented to Panel by Allied London to

allow Members to comment on the evolving strategy and raise any issues.

 

 

2.0 SITE AND SURROUNDINGS:

 

2.1 New Dock (its original name when constructed in 1843 up to the 1990s – Clarence

Dock was the name given by the developer Crosby Homes in the 2000s) is located in

the south east of Leeds City Centre, close to the River Aire. It is a mixed use

development, completed in 2007-8, and it comprises a variety of uses such as the

Royal Armouries Museum, Saviles exhibition centre, Alea casino, a number of

restaurants, shops, residential, offices and a multi-storey car park.

 

2.2 The walls of New Dock are a Grade II listed structure. The site lies adjacent to the

Eastern Riverside Conservation Area, and is within the Leeds UDP Review 2006

designated City Centre Riverside Area (Proposal Area 25). This policy statement

advocates a mixed use approach (including major visitor attractions, offices, housing, evening entertainment, food and drink), which should harness the potential for waterbased leisure and recreation activities.

 

2.3 New Dock lies adjacent to the area covered by the South Bank Planning Statement

(see attached plan Urban Design Principles 1). It has a key role in contributing

towards the economic growth of the City Centre on the south side of the River Aire,

and as a major tourist and visitor attraction to complement the Council’s aspirations

for the City Centre Park.

 

2.4 The site lies within the extension to the draft Aire Valley Area Action Plan, and could

act as a local centre within the proposals for the Aire Valley Urban Eco-Settlement.

The role of the northern end of the Aire Valley, within the City Centre, will be geared

towards the provision of some housing, but with significant provision of new

workspaces and offices for growing digital and creative businesses. This will enable a

clustering of similar industries on a number of nearby sites, such as the former Tetley

Brewery and the former Yorkshire Chemicals site, where new development proposals

will come forward in the future (see attached plan South Bank Development Progress

June 2012)

 

 

3.0 PROPOSAL

 

3.1 Allied London have recently acquired the commercial units at New Dock, and have

been working jointly with the Royal Armouries to put together a strategy to revitalise

the area as a major tourist and visitor attraction, in a manner which would

complement the City’s aspirations for the City Centre Park on the South Bank.

 

3.2 Allied London are at an early stage in developing their proposals for future major

investment to reinvigorate the Dock area. They will present their emerging strategy

to promote New Dock as destination for start-up digital and creative businesses, a

place to live, and a place for leisure for residents, workers and visitors alike. They

are seeking feedback on their developing strategy for future investment at New

Dock

 

3.3 The proposals seek to reconfigure the existing ground floor uses to create a new

office hub for digital and creative industries, provide day-to-day convenience retail,

and concentrate restaurant offer fronting the water.

 

3.4 The proposals explore how a more positive use of the water space for floating retail,

food, drink and office premises, and the potential of Leeds Dam Island for a food

and drink use, could be achieved.

 

3.5 The proposals aim to make Armouries Square, originally designed as a hardsurfaced events space for the Royal Armouries, more attractive for residents,

workers and visitors to use during the day and in the evening.

 

 

4.0 HISTORY OF NEGOTIATIONS

 

4.1 Allied London have recently met with lead members and officers regarding their

early concepts for the revitalisation of New Dock. Further discussions will take

place regarding the potential planning implications of the scheme.

 

 

5.0 ISSUES

Members are asked to consider the following matters in particular:

5.1 Is the general approach right for the area? 5.2 Does the proposal complement the City’s vision for the waterfront, South Bank and

the City Centre Park ?

[Machpoint005]

Pre-application for consideration by the good councillors of Leeds. I don't think there's enough detail to come to any firm opinion yet, but it is among their responsibilities to make sure that developments are appropriate.

 

They may well be - I'd be a bit bothered by the 'restaurant' bit if it means McBurgermonarch joints, but at least the listed status of the buildings should prevent too much technicolour branding.

 

If this succeeds in revitalising an urban waterfront, then get on with it!

[Robbo]

They may well be - I'd be a bit bothered by the 'restaurant' bit if it means McBurgermonarch joints, but at least the listed status of the buildings should prevent too much technicolour branding.

 

None of the buildings are listed (there all technicolour new anyhow). The dock itself is listed.

[Circe]

Sounds like exciting times!

 

It could be a positive move for the area, or it could make it stupidly busy. Hard to tell, really. I rather like it there, so I hope it does good things to the place if it goes ahead

[Robbo]

Article from YEP...

 

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/revival-plan-for-ailing-leeds-clarence-dock-1-4721552?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

 

Ambitious plans to revive an ailing Leeds waterfront development – including grassing over the Royal Armouries Museum tilt yard to create a major events space – have been outlined to councillors.

 

And the idea of developing a floating greenspace in the middle of Clarence Dock where people could sit and relax has also been put forward.

 

Property company Allied London, which took over Clarence Dock earlier this year, is working on a masterplan to breathe new life into the area which Michael Ingall, the firm’s chief executive officer, described as having no spirit or soul.

 

But he told the council’s city centre plans panel it had great potential and could make Leeds “a stand out city” over the next 15 years.

 

The firm’s vision for the future includes a cluster of five new restaurants, shops, cafes, bars and ultra-modern “workspace hubs” to attract digital and other new, emerging industries.

 

While new business uses would be important, Mr Ingall said: “We want to focus on leisure.”

 

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He said a grassed-over tilt yard – while still being available for jousting – could become a festival area for theatre, opera, music and other events.

 

Mr Ingall added: “The seats are already there so it a fairly quick win.”

 

On creating a floating park, he said: “A piece of green right in the middle of the dock would be packed every lunchtime. It’s something different and something other cities don’t have.

 

“We don’t want to alter a lot and we are not demolishing anything. We are basically adding things and expanding buildings.”

 

One of the expanded buildings would be used for a host of attractions and entertainment events.

 

The name Clarence Dock would disappear to be replaced by New Dock, the area’s original name when it was built in 1843.

 

Mr Ingall hoped the council could offer its support by improving pedestrian routes to the site with better signing and lighting.

 

The aim is to carry out the work over the next two years and relaunch New Dock in 2014. Planning applications could be submitted later this year.