Town Centre Securities' proposals for a £13m revamp of the Merrion Centre in Leeds look set to get the green light.

The project - which aims to cash in on the Leeds Arena development - is expected to create a "significant" number of jobs.

A Leeds City Council planning committee will scrutinise a report next Thursday (27 October) recommending that permission for the property developer's "New Front" plan is granted.

The proposals by owner TCS include redevelopment of the Merrion Market area in the north east third of the centre and refurbishment of the multi storey car park.

According to the report, the work is designed to enhance the appearance of the area; to reinforce the importance of the location, and to capitalise on the changing dynamics of the area.

The proposals are TCS's response to both the existing condition and use of the building and also to the forthcoming opening of the Leeds Arena to the north of the building.

The council report highlights that a factor in approving the arena development on the northern fringe of the city centre was the hope it would act as a catalyst for investment and regeneration of the area. It adds that TCS's proposals introduce uses which reflect those ambitions and in doing so will create a "significant" number of jobs.

The Merrion Centre provides more than 800,000 sq ft (75,000 sq m) of retail, office, leisure, entertainment and car parking accommodation towards the northern fringe of Leeds city centre.

However, parts of the centre, such as the Merrion Market which was commenced during the 1960s, are becoming increasingly obsolete, according to the report, and in 2005 TCS embarked upon a major refurbishment to upgrade and improve the centre. More than half of the shops received new fit outs and Town Centre House underwent redevelopment.

Construction of the £13m scheme is expected in February 2012, with the project timed to be completed in March 2013 to coordinate with the opening of the Leeds Arena.

The Merrion Market will be reconfigured to create a series of new commercial units which front onto Merrion Way and Wade Lane.
Work on the car park is intended to address both the condition of the existing structure and to improve the functionality and appearance of the car park.

The perimeter concrete upstands will have aluminium overcladding added, while a rhombus steel framing grid will be added to the more prominent Merrion Way and Wade Lane sides. The frame will incorporate LED feature lighting which has the ability to change colour.

The application is recommended for approval subject to appropriate conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

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