Tura BTR scheme in Leeds among first to secure Gateway 3 approval
500-home development marks early milestone under new building safety regime.
16 April 2026
A 500-home Build-to-Rent scheme in Leeds city centre has completed, becoming one of the first residential developments in the UK to receive Gateway 3 approval under the Building Safety Act.
The project, known as Tura, has been delivered by Glenbrook and funding partner Legal & General at Whitehall Riverside, marking a significant step in the implementation of the new building safety regime.
Gateway 3 approval represents the final stage of regulatory sign-off, confirming that a building has been constructed in line with approved safety standards before occupation. Early schemes to pass through the process are being closely watched by the industry as a benchmark for compliance.
Constructed by Bowmer & Kirkland and designed by Sheppard Robson, the development comprises two buildings of 19 and 16 storeys. It delivers a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including 25 units offered at a discount to market rent.
The scheme also includes a range of resident amenities across the lower floors, such as lounges, co-working space, roof terraces and a gym, reflecting the continued evolution of the BTR offer toward service-led living environments.
Beyond the buildings themselves, the project incorporates public realm improvements along the River Aire, including landscaped areas, new green space and enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes. These works are intended to improve connectivity along the waterfront and link the development more effectively with the surrounding city centre.
The completion of Tura forms part of the wider Whitehall Riverside masterplan and adds to the growing supply of purpose-built rental housing in Leeds, a market that continues to attract institutional investment.
Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, said achieving Gateway 3 approval demonstrates the level of coordination required between project teams and the Building Safety Regulator under the new system.
Adam Burney, Head of BTR & PBSA Asset Management at L&G, added that the scheme reflects the role of high-quality rental housing in supporting urban growth and meeting demand in key regional cities.
As one of the first developments to pass through the full Gateway process, Tura provides an early example of how the new regulatory framework is being applied in practice, with implications for programme, cost and delivery across future high-rise residential schemes.
