Work is set to begin on disused Victorian viaduct this Summer.

In the past few hours, a Leeds City Council planning committee has given unanimous backing to plans which will transform a disused Victorian viaduct into a brand new city centre green space, elevated 25 feet in the air.

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Inspired by similar projects in Manhattan and Paris, the pedestrianised viaduct - roughly the same width and length of Briggate - will connect two of the fastest developing areas of the city centre, going from Wellington street to South Bank - see here for more information on what’s in store for that area of town.

As well as creating some unique and much-needed green space up top, the arches below the viaduct will be repurposed as leisure and retail space for shops, bars, and cafes with outdoor seating areas - realising the full potential of the viaduct and its surroundings, turning it into a real destination.

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Artist render of the completed Monkbridge viaduct

Newly released renders also show a ground-level courtyard area covered by a glass canopy, and a small section of the elevated area is expected to be reserved as leisure space for nearby residential developments where they can book private use of sporting facilities such as tennis courts or a five-a-side pitch.

Work on Monkbridge viaduct is due to start as soon as August, we’ll bring you more exclusive updates as we hear them.