Proposals to transform the former headquarters of two sister dailies into offices and apartments or a hotel are set to be considered by a planning committee today.

Developers want to turn the now demolished former offices of the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post, at Wellington Street, Leeds, into three office blocks and a fourth block containing either flats or a hotel.

The plan will go before Leeds City Council’s city plans panel this afternoon.

It has been recommended a decision be deferred and delegated to the authority’s chief planning officer subject to the resolution of possible traffic issues in the area and the completion of a Section 106 agreement for the improvement of local infrastructure.

Demolition work at the former offices of the YP and YEP

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

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

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

“The site is clearly in a sustainable location and will bring a large range of uses to a site which is well connected to all modes of public transport.

“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.

“There is a high likelihood that this proposal will result in a greater focus of activity and investment in the area to the benefit of surrounding buildings and sites.”

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

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