GRD: EDI Appointed as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant on £1bn Eastgate Quarter Leeds Regeneration

GRD Group (UK) Ltd is delighted to announce that GRD:EDI has been appointed as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant on the landmark £1bn Eastgate Quarter regeneration scheme in Leeds city centre.

This is the largest and most prestigious scheme we have supported to date, and a significant milestone for our growing consultancy.

A Major Step Forward for Leeds’ Eastgate Quarter Regeneration

The £1bn mixed-use Eastgate Quarter development represents the final major regeneration opportunity within Leeds’ inner-city centre.

Led by Khalbros and Torsion Group JV, a high-calibre consultant team has now been appointed to deliver this transformative project. The team combines internationally respected architects and urban designers with leading Leeds-based businesses, creating a strong partnership rooted in both global expertise and local knowledge.

The 4-hectare site is located around Eastgate, extending from Vicar Lane in the west to Bridge Street in the east, and from Lady Lane in the south to the A64(M) in the north. Once complete, the development will extend the city centre footprint and create a dynamic new community.

Plans include:

• New homes

• Workspaces

• Leisure and hospitality amenities

• High-quality public realm

Residents and interested parties will have the opportunity to learn more and help shape the proposals through a public consultation scheduled for the first half of 2026.

GRD: EDI’s Role in the Eastgate Quarter Development

GRD: EDI is providing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion consultancy support during the Hybrid Planning Application process, covering both Outline and RIBA Stage 2 submissions.

Our role includes:

• Providing specialist EDI guidance to the consultant team

• Supporting inclusive design principles throughout the early design stages

• Chairing consultation with the Leeds City Council Access Officer

• Engaging with interested user groups to ensure accessibility and inclusion are embedded from the outset

By contributing at this critical stage, we are helping to ensure that accessibility and inclusive design are not an afterthought, but a core part of the project’s vision.

Supporting a Scheme That Will Transform Leeds City Centre

Eastgate Quarter will be a genuine game-changer for Leeds. As the final major regeneration site within the inner-city centre, it presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance the city’s status, create new communities, and set a benchmark for inclusive, accessible urban development.

Richard Dryden, Founder of GRD Group (UK) Ltd, said:

“It is a real privilege to be appointed as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant on a scheme of this scale and significance. Eastgate Quarter will shape the future of Leeds city centre, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion are embedded from the earliest stages is something we take very seriously. We are incredibly proud to be part of the consultant team delivering this landmark regeneration.”