Planning chiefs in Leeds have given the go ahead for a major redevelopment of the former Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post building in the city.

Proposals to transform the now-derelict site at Wellington Street into a mixed-use office, homes and shops development were considered by the city council’s plans panel on Thursday.

The panel resolved to approve the plans which will see around 50,000sqm of offices, 200 homes and a range of other uses, including cafes, shops and leisure facilities.

It is hoped the scheme will bring in a new era for the key “gateway” site, which was the location of the world’s first wool mill before being replaced by the iconic YP Print and Office Buildings in 1970.

A computer-generated image of how the Wellington Street site will appear

The proposed three new office buildings alongside the River Aire would range in height from 15 to eight storeys , with room for 290 basement car parking spaces.

A report issued ahead of Thursday’s meeting stated that the proposed scheme is “dynamic and positive” and provides the opportunity to create large areas of open space.

It said: “The scheme is in a prominent location and will act as a gateway to the city centre.

“The introduction of a new riverside space to provide both a leisure and natural habitat feature, would increase the range of the city’s offer to residents, workers and visitors alike.

Both the YP and the YEP moved to new offices in Whitehall Road in 2012, with the old five-acre site sold to a private investor the following year.

The only part of the original building now left standing is the clock tower, which will now be used to show digital advertising displays after a £250,000 system was installed.