Let us know what you think of our proposed developments in Eastside through our new interactive map!
In 2020, you may remember that Leeds Civic Trust launched the Liveable City Competition, asking how the eastern part of Leeds’ city centre could be re-imagined. This large tract of land which we now call ‘Eastside’ includes Quarry Hill, East Street and Marsh Lane is home to thousands of people. It includes some of the city’s key employers, cultural institutions and educational organisations, such as Leeds Minster, the Playhouse and Leeds City College.
But Eastside is currently held back by a major road network that makes travelling by foot or bike difficult. It lacks the greenspaces and public realm that its residents need. Natural features such as the Lady Beck are largely covered over, and a piecemeal approach to development has largely failed to create a coherent sense of place.
The competition entries (which you can view on the Liveable Leeds (liveable-leeds.org.uk) website) converged around a series of key themes, including daylighting the Lady Beck; improving the walking and cycling network; increasing the number of trees in the area; providing greenspaces which could improve the setting of our cultural institutions; and removing roads to create a cohesive network of public spaces.
The next stage of the process is to consider how we take these ideas forward in the months and years to come. The Trust has prepared a document which we call a Draft Supplementary Planning Document, which sets out a number of interventions drawing on the competition winners, and views from stakeholders and others, which could transform the area. They include:
- Implementing an effective strategy to create safe streets and promote sustainable travel modes;
- Creating a legible network of streets and greenspaces;
- Improving pedestrian and cycle accessibility and creating a road hierarchy that increases local connectivity;
- Enhancing heritage buildings and linking with existing assets;
- Celebrating culture and making it an integral part of placemaking; and
- Ensuring climate change and flood resilience in the area.
We now want to hear what you think – do you agree with our proposals? Is there anything you think we may have overlooked? Whether you live, work, visit or have a vested interest in the development of Eastside, let us know your thoughts!
You can add in your comments onto our interactive map created with Create Streets
We are also keen to consider how a partnership approach bringing together landowners, occupiers, residents and Leeds City Council could act as a catalyst to drive forward positive change in the area. If you’d like to hear more about the proposals, send us an email on office@leedscivictrust.org.uk and we can arrange a discussion over Zoom.
