Leeds is on a winning streak at the moment. First, the city’s football team gets promoted to the premiership and now, it’s set to become home to the UK’s largest city centre park – as well as a new footbridge over the River Aire. Leeds City Council will receive a whopping £18.6 million from the Government as part of the ‘Get Building Fund’ – which is part of the £52.6 million bid to the government by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
As the UK’s third biggest city, the new park – which is set to take over the former Tetley’s Brewery site – will be a welcome addition to Leeds, which has changed so much over the last few years. Known as the financial powerhouse of the North, Leeds will surely benefit from the new space, which has the potential to attract economic growth, as well as improve the lives of its inhabitants.
In addition to the new park, a new bridge will also be built from Leeds station to link the two spaces – making it accessible for both guests and locals to take advantage of the new hotspot. £8.6 million will be spent on creating this new green space within the city, and it will also create a pedestrian space that will allow for easy travel through South Bank. It’s also been confirmed that the current pay and display carparks will be closed to make way for the new development.
Start dates are yet to be announced for these ambitious projects, however, they aim to be completed by 2022.
Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding as it will allow us to press ahead with three shovel-ready schemes in Leeds.
“These are all projects that will help reduce our city’s carbon impact and help the economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Securing this funding shows how quickly the council and the city can respond when the right financial support becomes available.”
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