Leeds City Council Sells Aire Park Site to Glenbrook for 246 Flats, Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Leeds City Council has agreed to sell a prime vacant brownfield site near Aire Park and The Adelphi Pub in the city centre to property developer Glenbrook.
• Glenbrook’s planning application proposes 246 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a 24-storey development.
• Approximately 20% of the homes will be affordable housing, rented at 80% of the private market rate.
• The site is surrounded by heritage assets in an area of rapid regeneration.
• The application will be discussed by the council’s City Plans Panel on Thursday, 14 May.
• A council planning officer’s report describes the proposals as a significant opportunity to regenerate the prominent site, delivering new homes and some employment opportunities.
• The land sale was agreed in 2022, with the site considered capable of supporting high-quality residential development.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) May 8, 2026 – Leeds City Council has agreed to sell a prime development site near the Aire Park area and next to The Adelphi Pub to property developer Glenbrook, paving the way for over 240 new flats in the city centre.

What Has the Council Agreed to Do with the Site?

The council has finalised the sale of the coveted plot, located in a prominent position surrounded by heritage assets.

This brownfield site, previously vacant, forms part of the ongoing regeneration in Leeds city centre.

Glenbrook, the selected developer, has submitted a planning application for a 24-storey tower comprising mostly 246 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

As detailed in the planning documents, around 20% of these homes will be affordable, offered for rent at 80% of the current private market rate.

The City Plans Panel is scheduled to discuss the application next Thursday, 14 May. A council planning officer’s report states:

“The emerging proposals present a significant opportunity to regenerate a prominent vacant brownfield site within the city centre. The development would deliver a substantial number of new homes, alongside the provision of some employment opportunities.”

Where Exactly Is the Development Site Located?

The land sits near Leeds’ Aire Park development, adjacent to The Adelphi Pub, in a prime city centre location.

It is described in council documents as smack bang in the heart of the city, undergoing rapid regeneration.

The site, off Meadow Lane to the south of the city centre, east of Meadow Lane, and 50 metres from the River Aire, was previously used as two pay-and-display car parks.

This positioning places it next to the Hibiscus Rising sculpture, with plans to incorporate additional landscaped public realm along Hunslet Lane, connecting to improved civic spaces. A council decision report from the 2022 sale agreement noted:

“It is surrounded by heritage assets in an area undergoing rapid regeneration and is widely considered to be a prime plot capable of supporting a high quality residential development.”

What Are the Details of Glenbrook’s Planning Proposal?

Glenbrook’s pre-application proposes a mixed-height development ranging from six to 24 storeys, including 1,000 sq ft of ground-floor commercial space.

The housing mix includes 125 one-bedroom apartments, 100 two-bedroom homes, and 21 three-bedroom units.

This comes after Glenbrook was chosen as the preferred bidder following marketing by Cushman & Wakefield’s Leeds office.

The sale is subject to planning permission, after which the full transaction will conclude. Glenbrook has a track record in Leeds, with other projects like the £140m Whitehall Riverside scheme funded by Legal & General, delivering 500 build-to-rent homes expected by April 2026. Daniel Roberts, development director at Glenbrook, said in a related statement on a South Bank project:

“We are pleased that Leeds City Council has chosen to partner with us on this significant project, which forms part of the ongoing transformation of the South Bank area.”

When Will the Planning Decision Be Made?

The council’s City Plans Panel will consider the pre-application next week, on 14 May. This follows discussions between Glenbrook and the council since December, with the land made available last year to drive South Bank regeneration.

The 0.18-hectare plot was reconfigured as part of highway improvements, removing an old surface car park and adding green space.

Why Is This Site Considered Prime for Development?

Council reports highlight its status as a prominent vacant brownfield site offering regeneration potential. It aligns with Leeds’ efforts to expand city centre housing amid rapid South Bank transformation, including Aire Park by Vastint UK, which features a major green space and up to 850 residential units. The area is seeing multiple high-rise approvals, such as a 46-storey tower with over 460 flats.

As reported in Place Yorkshire, the planning committee will review the proposal, noting its gateway position in South Bank.

Ground News coverage confirms the Meadow Lane location near Aire Park and The Adelphi, emphasising the potential for hundreds of flats.

How Does This Fit into Broader Leeds Regeneration?

The development contributes to doubling Leeds city centre’s size, with Aire Park at the heart offering 1,400 homes and strong rental yields.

Nearby, Vastint’s Aire Park includes office spaces like 1 and 3 South Brook Street, now occupied. Glenbrook’s other Leeds schemes, such as the 618-apartment Kirkstall Road build-to-rent with riverside park, underscore the focus on high-quality housing and public spaces.

Leeds City Council marketed the site to spur activity, selecting Glenbrook for a scheme including affordable units. This follows approvals for Vastint’s next Aire Park phase with shops, parking, and over 500 flats by 2032.

Background of the Development

The site became available after Leeds City Council reconfigured Meadow Lane, removing car parks and enhancing green spaces as part of South Bank regeneration. Marketed in 2025 by Cushman & Wakefield, it attracted Glenbrook, who have delivered multiple Leeds projects, including Whitehall Riverside (topped out at 19 storeys) and Kirkstall Road.

Aire Park, nearby, gained approval in 2021 for its park and mixed uses, with construction starting early that year. The 2022 council report identified the plot’s prime potential amid heritage surroundings. Glenbrook’s purchase advances housing delivery in an area with growing employment, amenities, and transport links like Leeds Station.

Prediction for Leeds Residents

This development can provide Leeds residents with additional housing options in the city centre, including affordable units at 80% market rent, helping address demand in a regenerating area. It may introduce new public realm and commercial space, improving connectivity to Aire Park and the River Aire, potentially enhancing local amenities and employment prospects. Residents could benefit from intensified urban living near transport hubs, though the high-rise scale and heritage proximity might influence views and community dynamics depending on the final approval.