Leeds Beckett University said it has received planning permission for its new £75 million Creative Arts building.

The university said the 14,500 sq m development “will provide an iconic home for academic, creative and cultural activities in the civic heart of Leeds, becoming a stand-out landmark site for the Northern Film School, Music, Performing Arts and Fashion students.”

The proposed building, designed by Hawkins\Brown in conjunction with development partner Downing Developments, will be home to nearly 2,000 students and staff who are currently spread across separate locations in Leeds.

“Assembling the different courses under one roof will create an inspiring artistic and cultural hub, allowing the university to enhance the transferable skills and employability of their students through bespoke specialist facilities and collaborative social learning spaces,” said Leeds Beckett.

Andrew Fryer, Dean of the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts at Leeds Beckett, said: “The Creative Arts building will provide a home for our creative community of academics, students, researchers and practitioners, with spaces full of character that draw on Leeds Beckett University’s heritage for diverse learning skills opportunities.

“At the centre of the building will be innovative learning spaces, which will allow students and staff from the school to collaborate in new and dynamic ways.

“We want this to be a centrepiece for the growing cultural landscape of Leeds, a part of the City’s European Capital of Culture 2023 bid and a place to meet, drop by or simply visit because it’s just a great place to be.”

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, added: “Leeds Beckett plays a vital role in the health of the city and region, generating jobs and prosperity.

“The Creative Arts building will provide a new city marker, elevating the visibility of the university at this important city location and providing a resource that we believe will contribute to the creative economy in Leeds.

“This outstanding new building will provide a creative focus for the School’s undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and research and enterprise programmes and act as a hub for our cultural and industry partnerships across the city.”

The new Creative Arts building is located at the edge of the Civic Quarter of Leeds.

It is bordered by Downing’s Central Campus Development to the north and Leeds General Infirmary to the west.

Work on site will begin end of 2017, with completion estimated to be in 2020.