The Pickard Properties scheme in Woodhouse will replace an existing four-storey scheme with 604 beds.

Construction is due to start on site this autumn with the scheme due for completion in the summer of 2023 in readiness for the start of the new academic year.

Its design responds to the issues surrounding students’ mental health.

Featuring larger than standard bedrooms and living spaces, the accommodation incorporates a series of three-storey sky gardens which provide social and common study spaces for clusters of apartments, with this ‘fresh air’ theme being continued at ground floor level via an extensive courtyard.

Pickard Properties director Miles Pickard said: “This is a great result all round.  We are delighted to be bringing such a forward-thinking scheme to market.

“It is an intelligent design where affordability and mental health were prime drivers.

“We have worked very closely with Leeds University to ensure the design focused strongly on the mental health and wellbeing of students and encouraged social circulation and interaction throughout the accommodation by the inclusion of carefully planned spaces both within the building and externally.

“It is essential that students have safe and secure spaces where they can socialise in addition to their own study bedroom.

“It is also important for the City of Leeds to be able to offer a high standard of accommodation both to students with mainstream accommodation budgets as well as overseas students, who often have more extensive budgets. We want to help forge strong and happy memories of their time in Leeds.”

Quod Planning was responsible for the submission of the planning application.

Other members of the professional team included Fox Lloyd Jones Quantity Surveyor/Project Manager; Halliday Clark Architects, Smeeden Foreman, landscape architects; Structural engineer, Sweco; and Hoare Lea; Leeds University and Unipol.