(Image: LDRS)
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A block of flats is set to be refurbished more than three years after hundreds of students had to leave suddenly over fire safety risks.
Eldon Court in Woodhouse will get new external cladding and a smoke extraction system after plans were approved by the council.
Up to 300 students were evacuated from the building in January 2023 after the fire service issued a prohibition notice, citing “serious concerns and risk to life.”
The purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) block, on St Mark’s Road near the University of Leeds, has since stood empty.
Colebridge Ltd applied to Leeds City Council for planning permission to carry out alterations to the nine-storey site.
A design report said the number of student bed spaces in the building would be reduced from 280 to 274.
It said: “These works include a variation to the type of accommodation, with a number of existing cluster flats replaced with studio bed spaces.
“The proposals also involve a number of relatively minor amendments to the wider site layout, namely the car park and external amenity areas to the rear of the building.
“The works will involve the demolition of the circular building lying to the northern edge of the existing car park, which is used for general storage and cycle parking.”
Eldon Court, Leeds Pic by LDRS (Image: LDRS)
The report said the building’s external façade would be replaced to comply with fire safety standards and the Building Safety Act. Roof-mounted mechanical smoke extraction equipment would also be fitted.
The report by ELG Planning said re-occupation of the student block would help nearby businesses, some operating from the ground floor of the same building.
It said: “The site occupies a highly accessible location relative to Leeds city centre and the university campuses and has a well-established use as PBSA.”
Council planning officers said concerns were raised over the appearance of the proposed smoke extractors.
Their report said: “However, it is acknowledged that the roof mounted equipment and the smoke extractors is required for fire safety function and the visual impact is mitigated with cladding materials being used within the context.”
West Yorkshire Fire Service issued the 2023 prohibition notice just after updated safety reforms came into effect.
At the time, deputy chief fire officer Dave Walton said: “We had no choice but to act in this way after our investigations highlighted serious concerns and risk to life. “