Tetley: Leeds Civic Trust slams Aire Park redevelopment proposals

A heritage group has slammed plans to redevelop a former brewery in Leeds.

Leeds Civic Trust said proposals to remove original features from the former Tetley Brewery building were “completely inappropriate”.

Developer Vastint said it valued the trust’s opinion and would work “collaboratively” to “alleviate any concerns”.

Leeds City Council is expected to decide on the plans later this year.

The plans, which were unveiled in April, would see a one-storey extension on the side of the main Tetley building demolished, with the original building refurbished and a new extension built.

Leeds Civic Trust director Martin Hamilton said the application’s proposals to remove original features including wood paneling, doors and fireplaces were “completely inappropriate”.

He added: “The proposed two-storey extension, which replaces the existing one-storey structure, which is believed to have been built at the same time as the original building, will dominate the existing building in a way that we cannot accept.”

The trust, which “promotes improvements to the city of Leeds in the areas of planning, architecture, heritage and city amenities”, opposed the current proposals.

Hamilton said the organization is “not anti-development” and admitted the building “needs an upgrade.”

However, “it should be possible to preserve the heart and soul of the last remaining vestige of the site’s manufacturing past,” he added.

He called for “a sensible and minimalist approach” to redeveloping the building.

The brewery was the home of Tetley Brewery in Leeds for nearly 200 years.

According to a heritage statement accompanying the application, the site has a “low heritage value”.

It said the current proposals “endeavour to retain the most significant elevations and principal architectural features”.

Developer Vastint UK said it valued the trust’s opinion.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with Leeds Civic Trust and other key stakeholders to alleviate any concerns as we take forward our proposals for The Tetley,” added a spokesperson.

“Significant research” was carried out before the plans were submitted, with internal features preserved and the external design “compatible” with the area, they said.