Five key developments transforming West Yorkshire

Engineering consultancy Curtins shares its first-hand insights into five projects reshaping this dynamic region.

West Yorkshire is one of the UK’s fastest-growing counties, driven by strong economic performance and a diverse job market writes Sam Woolley of Curtins. Its appeal to businesses, young professionals, and students is fuelling demand for new homes, modern workplaces, cultural and leisure destinations, and essential community infrastructure.

To support this growth, the construction sector is delivering a wave of ambitious developments. Curtins has been present in the region for 35 years and is proud to provide civil and structural engineering, transport planning, environmental, and geotechnical expertise across some of the region’s most significant schemes.

Here are our top five schemes transforming West Yorkshire:

#1 Aire Park
Client: Vastint

Aire Park is set to become Yorkshire’s largest mixed-use neighbourhood, transforming the 24-acre former Tetley Brewery site in Leeds.

The first complete buildings – 1 & 3 South Brook Street and Kellstone, display a balance of modern design aesthetic whilst incorporating the area’s industrial heritage, setting the tone for the wider development. Once complete, Aire Park will deliver 1,350 homes, two multi-storey car parks, 800,000 sq ft of office space, 54,000 sq ft of retail space, and an eight-acre public park featuring 700 new trees and a 1km exercise route.

Curtins has been providing civil and structural engineering and geo-environmental services for more than three years on this phased masterplan, working alongside architects Cartwright Pickard and Ryder.

Once complete, the area will accommodate over 11,000 workers and 3,000 residents.

Current Status & Future Plans

The first phase of Aire Park – 1 and 3 South Brook Street – completed in September 2024, alongside the initial sections of public park space. These buildings now host a growing mix of commercial and retail tenants.

The second commercial phase, Kellstone, is scheduled for completion in early 2026. The wider masterplan will continue to progress through the decade, with full completion targeted for the early 2030’s.

Aire Park Images Credit: Vastint / JMA Photography

#2 Wellington Place
Client: MEPC

Ground shot of Wellington Place, Leeds. Credit: With Love Studio

Wellington Place is Yorkshire’s largest commercial office development, delivering 1.9m sq ft of high‑quality workspace across a 21‑acre urban quarter in Leeds. Home to more than 50 businesses, the scheme combines state‑of‑the‑art offices with landscaped public spaces, including Tower Square – one of the city’s largest – centred around the grade two‑listed 1850s lifting tower.

Curtins has provided multidisciplinary engineering expertise on several key buildings, including the 106,000 sq ft 3 Wellington Place, 130,000 sq ft 4 Wellington Place, the 380,000 sq ft 7&8 Wellington Place, and the 240,000 sq ft 11&12 Wellington Place.

This award‑winning development has set new benchmarks for ESG, sustainability and NABERS Design, influencing best practice across the construction industry.

Current Status & Future Plans

Wellington Place continues to progress through its multiple phases, with plans submitted for 14 Wellington Place last February and plans for Building 9 next in the pipeline.

Ground shot of Wellington Place, Leeds. Credit: With Love Studio

Aerial Image of Wellington Place, Leeds, Credit: Paul Mcmullin

#3 Dyecoats

Client: Latimer by Clarion

Dyecoats is set to become Yorkshire’s largest residential development, delivering 1,600 new homes on the former Yorkshire chemical plant in Leeds. Working with architect Broadway Malyan, Curtins has provided civil and structural engineering across this phased scheme, which includes a mix of one‑, two ‑ and three‑bed apartments across 11 blocks (eight–17 storeys), alongside 13 three‑bed townhouses with private gardens.

Given the site’s proximity to the River Aire, Curtins undertook detailed flood modelling to set safe site levels for flooding whilst minimising risk to others from flood water displacement off site. Modern Methods of Construction has been central to the design and construction approach, with extensive modelling of bulk earth works to achieve a sustainable cut and fill balance across the scheme.

As Clarion’s Chief Development Officer Richard Cook notes, Dyecoats represents “transformative regeneration that delivers affordable, high‑quality homes and long‑term value for communities,” with social impact embedded through partnerships such as St George’s Crypt.

Current Status & Future Plans

The scheme broke ground in April 2025 and remains on track for the phased opening of new homes, a food hall and public realm.

Dyecoats image, Credit: 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Broadway Malyan Architects

#4 Bradford City Village
Client:  ECF/Bradford Council

Bradford City Village will deliver close to 1,000 new homes alongside retail and leisure space. Early works include the demolition of the Oastler and Kirkgate Shopping Centre sites to prepare the area for transformation.

Developed in partnership with ECF and shaped by extensive public consultation, the vision is to create a green, healthy, and sustainable city‑centre neighbourhood, unlocking the potential of a former retail district and drawing more people into the heart of Bradford.

Current Status & Future Plans

It is hoped construction will start in 2026, following submission of a planning application in 2025.

Bradford City Village Credit: 5Plus Architects, Re-Form (Landscape Architect) and DeMaterial (the CGI artists).

#5 Our Cultural Heart

Client: BAM / Kirklees Council

Our Cultural Heart will refurbish existing buildings in Huddersfield town centre and create new public spaces including a food hall, library, and public square.

Working with BAM Construction and architect Chapman Taylor, Curtins is delivering specialist civil and structural engineering for the first phase, focused on conserving and extending the Queensgate Market building. Its distinctive reinforced‑concrete structure – featuring 21 hyperbolic paraboloid roof shells will be repaired, retained, and celebrated within the new design.

Curtins Director Colin Riches says “Working on such a unique building like the Grade II listed Queensgate market has its challenges, not least working out how 21 concrete mushroom roofs stand up! This is such an important development for Huddersfield and Kirklees though, with such unique technical engineering challenges, that everyone in the office has been desperate to get involved. I feel very lucky and privileged to have been part of the team working on this amazing project”.

Current Status & Future Plans

This project is currently on site, with funding now secured for the next phase, including a flagship museum and art gallery. Plans feature a sympathetic new extension to the existing building, improving accessibility and strengthening connections between the museum, outdoor spaces and the wider Cultural Heart.

• Sam Woolley is marketing coordinator at Curtins