Council to agree next stages for Burberry’s £50 million South Bank plans

Leeds City Council will set out the principles by which it will support Burberry’s proposals to invest £50 million in the Leeds South Bank, at a meeting of its executive board next week.

Burberry’s plans will provide employment for 1000 people and bring a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and weaving facility to the South Bank, increasing capacity for the manufacture of its iconic Gabardine trench coat in a more efficient and sustainable way.

On Wednesday 18 November Leeds City Council’s executive board will consider how it can work with Burberry on their proposals while ensuring the huge economic benefits of the project reach across the Leeds City Region.

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Burberry’s exciting and ambitious proposal is one of the single largest employment opportunities in the Leeds South Bank. It will have a transformational impact, bringing jobs, training and regeneration to the area.

“We will work closely with Burberry and our city region partners to move these proposals forward and ensure we deliver on our shared goal of achieving growth in a way which is compassionate and benefits communities.”

At its meeting on Wednesday the council’s executive board will also consider how it will work with Burberry on its intention for future potential phases of their proposals. This includes initial plans for restoring and renewing the Grade I listed Temple Works in the South Bank and development on land neighbouring Temple Works.

The council is recommended to develop updated planning guidance in the area, consider the sale of council land in the South Bank to Burberry and using compulsory powers to purchase the land where necessary. There are also proposals for the council to provide a grant for the restoration of Temple Works and the provision of new public space at the front of the building.

If agreed, legal agreements will be developed whilst further due diligence takes place and a further report will go to the council’s executive board in 2016 in advance of any final commitments by Burberry and the council on plans for future phases of development.

The executive board report also highlights Burberry’s commitment to social programmes, which could provide significant benefits to the city’s employment and skills agenda and opportunities through a bespoke apprenticeships programme.

The Burberry announcement is the latest in a number of major investments in the South Bank area. New residential developments are due to be built at Tower Works, Ironworks and Low Fold. The contemporary arts venue at Tetley has gone from strength to strength and the area is home to major hubs for the digital economy at Round Foundry and Leeds Dock. Recently, Vastint acquired the 21-acre Carlsberg Tetley site and Commercial Estates group has bought 6 acres of land along Globe Road ahead of proposed development.

Ends

Notes to editors

Leeds City Council’s Executive Board meeting is at 1pm on Wednesday 18 November. Copies of the full agenda and reports pack is available at www.leeds.gov.uk/democracy or at the following link