Gregory Property Group has announced the purchase of a one-acre site on Bingley Street in Leeds city centre, which is currently occupied by Maxi’s Chinese restaurant. WYG, on behalf of Gregory Property Group, has submitted a full planning application to demolish the existing restaurant and deliver a multi-storey purpose-built complex to house around 400 bedrooms for a brand new student residential development.

“We are pleased to have secured this site through competitive tender which recognises the credentials of our long-established business to deliver sustainable development,” said Barry Gregory of Gregory Property Group.

“The appetite for high quality student accommodation continues to grow apace with Leeds being one of the top ten university destinations in the UK. With a growing student population of around 60,000 students in the city there remains sustainable demand,” he continued.

In Leeds, more than half of the student population is made up of University of Leeds, which has seen a growing number of international students who want to stay in purpose built student accommodation (PBSA). Moreover, this particular site sits within a PBSA location, where accommodation is most needed.

The University of Leeds is the city’s largest institution with over 30,000 students, more than half of the full-time student population. Leeds Beckett University attracts nearly 19,000 students, whilst the city’s three smaller, specialist institutions account for over 5,000 full-time students.

Acting on behalf of Gregory Property Group in the acquisition of the site was Michael Leonard of Carisbrooke Estates.

Subject to planning consent, Gregory Property Group aims to start construction work on site in February 2019.