A tower development surpassing forty storeys is set to dominate the city centre after councillors approved the scheme.

The project on land close to Lisbon Street will provide more than 460 homes once a binding legal agreement has been signed.

Developer McLaren Real Estate plans to demolish existing buildings and erect one residential tower together with two office blocks.

Leeds City Council’s planning committee approved the scheme in spring last year.

The permission included conditions requiring financial contributions towards transport infrastructure and submission of a wind impact assessment.

Formal planning consent has been issued after the Section 106 agreement was finalised.

Planning documents from ID Planning state the scheme accommodates 464 apartments. The site is ideally positioned for both housing and business uses within the city centre.

The six-sided tower would feature a shared sky lounge for residents to socialise, the planning officer’s report indicated.

At ground level, a central landscaped garden with planting and children’s play equipment would be created on the site next to Skinner Street.

The council’s report stated: 61 new trees are proposed for the public areas.

Leeds Civic Trust raised objections, contending that residents would have inadequate outdoor space.

Their submission argued: On a warm weekend afternoon, the potential 726 residents may require outdoor green spaces, as could many office workers during the working week. The development feels overly dense without sufficient open-air areas.

Council planning officers maintained the scheme was appropriate for the location.

Their evaluation concluded: Both the construction phase and future operation would create substantial employment that would significantly benefit the local economy.