Developers CEG has submitted a planning application seeking to revitalise a disused warehouse site in Leeds for Yorkshire-based global diagnostics and drug development company Labcorp. 

CEG would manage the delivery of the new facility and aims to enable occupation by Summer next year. It would include a 100-bed clinic, pharmacy and Labcorp’s UK office headquarters.

The Drapers Yard area of the city would be dramatically transformed with a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting on Marshall Street and Sweet Street.  Biodiversity will be enhanced and the setting of heritage assets protected, including the adjacent Grade 1 Listed Temple Works.

Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment at CEG, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to deliver a UK Centre of Excellence for Labcorp. It will be a sustainable and energy efficient development, designed with occupant well-being in mind.

“It will bring a welcome economic boost to Temple supporting the city’s post-covid recovery plans and helping to create a cluster for science, knowledge and innovation. The commitment to the site will also help to build further confidence that this is a fantastic business destination, just minutes from Leeds City Station, helping to attract future inward investment opportunities.”

Specialising in life-science innovation, Labcorp currently operates out of two sites in Leeds and plans to consolidate the team into one building for more efficient, collaborative working, as well as having the opportunity to double in size, retaining and creating almost 300 highly-skilled scientific and healthcare jobs in the city.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a hugely-exciting piece of news for Leeds, and one that will strengthen the city’s reputation as a place where cutting-edge tech and a sense of history come together to positive effect.

“We already have an unrivalled health ecosystem, with four out of five NHS national offices being based here. In addition, Leeds is home to one of the largest concentrations of medical device companies in the UK and a rich pool of health, science and digital talent.

Labcorp delivers vital medical research and has worked on most of the available COVID-19 vaccines and is currently involved in more than 400 studies for COVID-19 globally.