The proposal that looks to replace The Core Shopping Centre with student accommodation has been given the green light.
The Core Shopping Centre is soon to be demolished and replaced with purpose-built student flats and a shopping scheme on the ground floor.
The development will include 807 student bedrooms and around 36,000 sq ft of retail space, including two new arcades.
The huge project will be spread over three blocks and will feature low-carbon air source heat pumps, low water consumption fixtures and fittings, and low energy and controlled ventilation and lighting.
Image: DPP Planning
Each of the three buildings will be connected by lightweight bridges running along the western edge of the site.
Formerly known as The Headrow Shopping Centre, The Core was built in 1987 and includes shops such as Matalan, Poundland, Burger King and Blacks.
A report suggests the recent addition of the Trinity and Victoria Gate shopping centres in the city has severely impacted The Core’s ability to fill its retail space.
The initial report, by the Local Democratic Reporting Service, said: “Many key stores are vacant, significant sections are totally vacant and a number of other occupiers have confirmed their intention to vacate the building when their leases end.”
Image: DPP Planning
Paul Miles, construction director at Fusion Group, said: “Achieving planning permission on this scheme is a reflection of the commitment from our team to create a truly exceptional development that benefits both its future residents and the people of Leeds through much improved public realm and commercial space.
“We look forward to beginning construction on a scheme that will support residents to enjoy an active lifestyle, excellent focused study spaces, and an all-around well-balanced time throughout their academic years.”
After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.
One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.
It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.
‘Actually lost for words’ – huge artist speaks out as Leeds Festival set is cancelled due to overcrowding
Clementine Hall
For the second day in a row, a huge set has been cancelled due to overcrowding at Reading and Leeds Festival.
Day two of the festival and there's some pretty disappointed ravers hanging their head as one of the biggest dance music sets of the day is cancelled.
Omar+, a rising British electronic DJ and producer, was due to play on the brand-new Warehouse stage at Reading yesterday and Leeds today.
Yesterday's set was cancelled last minute due to overcrowding, and low and behold the same has happened here in Leeds.
Announcing the sad news to his story, Omar+ said "Actually lost for words. My Leeds set has been cancelled due to overcrowding."
He then went on to show a screenshot of a text message, reading: "I've never seen something like this in my entire life where two shows back to back are cancelled due to overcrowding."
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading yesterday, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
Clementine Hall -
18th March 2024 
