Plans For Leeds Grade II Listed Building Sparks Fierce Debate

The renovation plans for one of Leeds’ most striking listed buildings have ignited a debate about how closely listed building restoration projects need to stick to the original design.

Thoresby Building, at 2 Great George Street in the centre of Leeds, dates back to the 1890s, and a development firm has published £18m plans to convert the former high school into offices and apartments.

According to the plans published on Leeds City Council’s planning portal, the building could be converted into ground floor office space, a basement residents’ gymnasium and 83 flats.

For the most part, these aspects of the renovation have not proven to be as controversial, especially considering other Grade II listed buildings have been converted into apartments, although some concerns have been raised about alterations to the internal structure of the building.

However, what has caused greater issues for the Leeds Civic Trust, as well as Historic England, is the plans for a three-storey glass roof terrace, which would allow for more accommodation and a communal area.

The bulky glass roof has been seen by heritage groups as a step too far away from the listed building’s design, and Historic England, in particular, argued that this aspect of the plan has a “lack of justification” given the potential alternative plans that could be put in place.

This could be a potentially serious blow, as consent is required when making alterations to a listed building under section 9 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and the concerns raised by several heritage organisations could cause the plans to be rejected.

The plans are set to be discussed by the City Plans Panel with a decision expected in October.