Fearns Wharf conversion lined up

Fronting the River Aire in Leeds, the former base of the Canal & Rivers Trust could be redeveloped into 82 apartments by owner JM Construction.

Working with a professional team including Beckwith Design Associates, BWB, Environmental Noise Solutions and floods advisor JBA Consulting, the plan is to turn the 35,000 sq ft office building into apartments, with the conversion of attic space, an additional of two floors, and a full height extension on the Neptune Street elevation.

The Fearns Wharf building was completed in 2002 as part of the regeneration of East Street and Leeds Dock, or Clarence Dock as it was then known, accompanying other major developments such as the Royal Armouries, across from which it sits.

The building was one of a network of regional headquarters for British Waterways, which was then taken out of government and moved into the civil sector in 2012, when C&RT was officially launched.

JM bought the building in 2022 when it became vacant.

As it stands, Fearns Wharf is a five-storey redbrick building with four floors of office accommodation raised on piloti above a parking level. The site is accessed from Neptune Street, a cul-de-sac featuring buildings of up to eight storeys, and the Knights Way pedestrian bridge from Leeds Dock.

The undercroft parking would be part of the residential space, with the total number of parking spaces being reduced from 63 to 27.

The change of use application has now been validated by Leeds City Council, with the plans available to view with the reference 24/00840/FU on the council planning portal.

The view from Knights Way Bridge as things stand (left) and proposed (right) with the new floors. Credit: planning documents