Leeds City Council has given planning approval to plans by MEPC for an office-led development at 9 Wellington Place.

The new urban quarter will provide 176,413 sq ft of office and 6,851 sq ft of ground floor retail and leisure space bringing hundreds more jobs to the Leeds city centre.

Paul Pavia, Commercial Director at MEPC, said: “We are delighted that Leeds City Council has approved the 9 Wellington Place development.

“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.

“Recognising our responsibility as a developer to enhance spaces not only for our occupiers, but for everyone who lives and works in the city, we will be delivering high quality public realm so that people can enjoy the area adjacent to the river.”

The planning approval also signifies the creation of over an acre of outdoor space, which will include a quarter of an acre of new planting, including 39 new trees. The space will be open for both Wellington Place occupiers and the local community to enjoy, with MEPC having recently invested £1.1m into improving the development’s outdoor realm.

Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “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.”