Mabgate, Argyle Road and Macauley Street, Leeds

A mixed-use student accommodation development will provide more than 1,200 bedrooms to the immediate north of Leeds city centre and deliver over 8,000 square feet of retail, commercial and leisure space.  The application was supported with transport and travel planning advice by the Motion team, who successfully advanced arguments which culminated in reduced levels of car parking as a means to encourage sustainable patterns of movement.

Approximately 600 cycle spaces will be provided on site, which are considered more than sufficient to meet the demands of the development.  Future Generation will fund a signalised pedestrian crossing to the north of the site, which will provide improved footways towards the University Hospital, where it is anticipated a number of future students will be based.

The site had previously been granted outline consent for 425 apartments.  The previous residential scheme relied upon a car park with 238 spaces.  In comparison to the earlier proposals, the new accommodation will result in a significant reduction in traffic on the surrounding road network during weekday peak hours, as students will adhere to a no-car policy.

“The Motion team was professional and efficient.  They successfully advanced an argument which delivered reduced levels of car parking as a means to encourage sustainable patterns of movement.  Aided by Future Generation’s commitment to zero car parking in its schemes, this approach balanced the competing demands of key political decision makers with the relevant planning policy context.”

Henry Strawson, Future Generation

Image credit: © Fluid Design