Eastgate developer to meet civic watchdog over shopping centre concerns

The developer behind a £650 million scheme to rejuvenate the Eastgate area of Leeds city centre is to meet members of a civic watchdog who have raised concerns about the scheme. On Wednesday , Leeds Civic Trust said that significant revisions to the Eastgate scheme were either 'lost opportunities' or were 'detrimental to the city and need to be addressed before a decision on planning permission is made'. Trust director Dr Kevin Grady said he was keen to work with the developers Hammerson and Leeds council on improving the scheme. Hammerson today said it is still in the pre-application consultation period and said that it had more than 600 people attend a recent public exhibition, which was held in the Victoria Quarter. Andrew Hilston, project director for Eastgate Quarters, said: "We welcome the comments received by the Leeds Civic Trust as this forms an important part of our pre-application consultation. We are meeting with members of the Trust to discuss further the specific points and for wider feedback on the scheme which will inform our final outline planning application. "We wholeheartedly agree that the regeneration of Eastgate provides a significant opportunity to enhance a part of Leeds that is currently dominated by surface car parks. "The revised application sensitively enhances a number of historic and listed buildings and creates well designed public open space. "We are confident that the investment within the scheme will lead to neighbouring regeneration schemes being brought forward, further enhancing Leeds' distinctive townscape." Hilston added that members of the public who want to learn more about the scheme they can view the information made available at the exhibition at www.eastgateleeds.co.uk , where they can also leave feedback and complete the online questionnaire. The retail-led proposals for Eastgate Quarters include anchor stores for John Lewis and Marks & Spencer and in the region of 130 stores and restaurants. A new 'c-shaped' arcade on two levels will be created, as well as a public square at the bottom of Eastgate. The street itself will be turned into a pedestrianised boulevard surrounded by restaurants and cafes. The development, which covers a 1m sq ft area in the city centre, aims to revive the area between Vicar Lane, Eastgate, George Street and Harewood Street. Developers expect around 20 million visits to Eastgate each year. The plans also include the city's biggest car park, with around 2,700 spaces. Access would be via Vicar Lane and Bridge Street. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.