BAM’s Latitude Yellow gets green light

Leeds city councillors voted on Thursday to grant permission to the 12-storey office block, which is aiming to be net zero in operation.

This was the second time BAM’s Latitude Yellow had been considered by the city plans panel. The application had been deferred in February in order for the provision of additional information regarding safety related to a screened footpath.

The information provided was evidently satisfactory, based on the city council’s decision.

Latitude Yellow will be built on the final plot of the old Doncaster Monk Bridge Works off Whitehall Road. Upon completion, it will provide 200,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, a roof garden, green walls, a gym, and a space for a café or coworking facility on the ground floor.

Designed by Cooper Cromar, Latitude Yellow will join the wider Latitude family – including fellow office block Latitude Red and the residential-focussed Latitude Purple towers

With active travel being promoted, there will be only 10 parking spaces at Latitude Yellow. All of these will have EV charging points. There would also be storage for around 140 cycles within the building’s ground and mezzanine levels, with 20 short-stay cycle spaces provided outside.

Geared to run completely on renewable energy, Latitude Yellow boasts air source heat pumps and PV panels. It is engineered to be net zero in operation, with a target rating of BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5.5 stars.

“Sustainability is at the heart of Latitude Yellow and our proposals have had a really positive response from both the local community and senior stakeholders in Leeds,” said Euan Miller, managing director of BAM Properties.

“In particular, we’re glad to see the City Plans Panel’s support for the promotion of sustainable city centre travel by limiting the amount of car parking spaces,” Miller continued.

“We’re now aiming to begin work on site later in the year.”

Leeds City Council Leader Cllr James Lewis also shared his support for the project, adding that it “will provide much-needed, modern office space on brownfield land in a key location for the city centre”.

“It’s encouraging the new building will be net zero, setting an example for future office developments on the road to a low-carbon future,” Lewis said.

“We welcome the steps they’re taking to ensure all energy and electricity used by the site will be sourced exclusively from renewable energy, as well as the commitment to sustainable construction.”

BAM is not just the developer for Latitude Yellow, the company is also the project manager and contractor. Avison Young is the planner for the scheme.

In addition to Avison Young and Cooper Cromar, the project team includes Cundall, Woolgar Hunter Engineers, Layer.Studio, Atelier Ten, Eckersley O’Callaghan, RWDI, Mosodi, Petrie Buchanan, SLR, Brooks Ecological, and Gardiner & Theobald.

You can learn more about the application by searching reference number 23/06266/FU on Leeds City Council’s planning portal.