Urbanite Living has secured planning consent, subject to conditions, to develop the former Yorkshire Post site in Leeds to deliver a new residential and student living scheme.

The £400m scheme includes three residential towers, on the prominent site that has been vacant since the Yorkshire Post group relocated in 2014, they will range in height from 25-42 storeys, with the tallest two containing 1,782 student beds in a total of 576 cluster apartments, along with leisure and well-being facilities.  The third building will provide 348 private rent apartments with landscaped roof gardens, taking advantage of the south facing riverside views.

Daniel Newett, a founder of Urbanite, said: “We are delighted to secure planning consent in principal to develop this strategically important, landmark site and deliver much needed new mixed tenure housing in the city centre.

“Leeds remains one of the UK’s top university destinations with education space as well as student applications continuing to increase at a rapid pace. Furthermore, with a 30% year on year increase of graduate students staying in Leeds, the demand for rental accommodation is at an all time high.

“This scheme delivers uncompromising living spaces with fantastic public realm that is both sustainable and adaptable for the future whilst also supporting health and wellbeing of its occupants.”

Key features of the project will include a micro-forest, public square and riverside walk, joining the site up with further parts of new public realm along the riverfront and Urbanite has pledged to work alongside Leeds city councillors to restore and resurrect the iconic Yorkshire Post/Yorkshire Evening Post mast heads and digital clock/temperate gauge within the site.

Urbanite hopes to be able to start development on site as soon as possible.