Upward expansion proposed for Coverdale House
A rooftop extension has been put forward which would add 32 bedspaces to the already consented conversion of the Leeds office building into 100 studio apartments.
Those plans covered a change of use for the existing building, an immediate neighbour to the listed East Parade Chambers. Malik Group secured consent in August.
In adding to the project, the applicant’s team stressed how set back from the frontage the extension will be.
Coverdale House is located towards the northern end of East Parade, close to the Headrow, in the network of streets between the traditional office quarter around St Paul’s Square and the main retail pitch around Briggate.
If approved, the extension would expand the number of approved bedspaces at the building by 32.
The extension project is designed by Brewster Bye Architects, which was brought on board following pre-application discussions with the council in September.
The key points arising from this discussion were that the scheme as first proposed was too intrusive, particularly in relation to views from Park Cross Street and Protection House. The BBA design is more in keeping with the area and maintains key sightlines from Park Cross Street, planning advisor DPP said.
In its planning and heritage statement, DPP stated: “This current application intends to extend the building by two storeys in a sensitive manner. The extension will be subservient to the existing building.
“It will be set back from the front façade of Coverdale House and reflect local character and design vernacular. The height of the extended building will be in keeping with the existing streetscene.”
Coverdale House as it stands is a four-storey office building set out as an H-block, with two courtyards. Some infill is included within the August consent. The building was constructed in the 1980s in the mock-Georgian townhouse style.
Tenants from the building’s time as office space included Thompsons Solicitors, which moved to 10 South Parade this year.
Amenities at the Malik project are to include a gym, bike store, and areas for study and games.
Conversions into student living have become something of a theme in the area, while various consents have been given for rooftop extensions.
Student living conversions were approved at Headrow Court this year and 147-157 The Headrow in 2020. Consents were given to extend 8 St Paul’s Street to top and back in 2023, to add a floor to 9 East Parade in 2021, and to add three floors to Bank House on King Street.
Going slightly further back, a 2018 planning permission allowed for a rear extension of 21 flats at Protection House on East Parade, where an aparthotel is in the planning works.
Documents relating to the project can be viewed on Leeds City Council’s planning portal at 24/05029/FU.
