Update on Lower Kirkgate building repair work

The closure of part of Lower Kirkgate has been in force since an historic privately-owned building on the street suffered a partial collapse in April this year.

The council subsequently applied to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for permission to issue an urgent works notice (UWN) covering that building and five other historic properties on Lower Kirkgate which are at risk of collapse or further serious deterioration.

The Secretary of State informed the council last week that its application had been successful, with the owner of all six properties – a company called City Fusion – being served with a UWN yesterday (Wednesday, December 18).

City Fusion has 28 days from the serving of the notice to begin a programme of structural work that will make the buildings safe.

If the required action has not been taken by the end of that 28-day period, then the council can carry out the work itself before seeking to recover the cost of doing so from the buildings' owner.

Following the completion of both the work and appropriate safety checks, the protective hoardings that were put in place in front of the properties following April’s incident will be removed.

The ‘buffer zone’ created by the hoardings means the buildings have posed no risk to public safety during the wait for the work to be carried out.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“We recognise the situation on Lower Kirkgate has proved frustrating for local businesses and residents and, as a council, we have been determined to find a solution.

“It’s really encouraging news, therefore, that we have been able to serve the urgent works notice following approval from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

“I would once again like to thank people living and working in the area for the patience they have shown over recent months.”

The serving of the UWN comes as the council separately continues due diligence and feasibility work in relation to its possible purchase of a number of the historic properties owned by City Fusion on Lower Kirkgate.

Should these proposed market-value acquisitions go ahead, the council intends to bring the currently-derelict buildings back into beneficial use.

Their transformation would complement the wide-ranging improvements made in the area by the council’s Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme over the last decade.

Grants awarded via the scheme have helped drive the restoration of a string of properties on Lower Kirkgate, including the Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall, as well as a fundamental redesign of the local street-scene.

Despite its best efforts, the council has been unable to formally agree terms with City Fusion for the award of THI grant support for improvement work on the properties it is now seeking to acquire.

ENDS