The first phase of a new park in a major mixed-use development in Leeds has opened to the public.

Located within the city’s South Bank, Aire Park sits on the former Tetley Brewery site. Once complete, it will include residential, commercial and recreational spaces as well as eight acres of public parkland.

Tetley Green is one of first areas of the park to launch, providing an amphitheatre with grass terraces. Theatre Gardens has also opened to the public, offering a more intimate space next to Grade II-listed Salem Chapel.

Flexible events space Tetley Triangle will form the centre of the development, acting as a gateway to Aire Park.

Landscape architecture practice Planit, developer Vastint UK and Leeds City Council have collaborated on the scheme.

“Aire Park has been designed to actively restore and enhance natural habitats within the urban landscape,” says Planit’s Phil Porter, who adds that the ecological impact of the park will be monitored.

Simon Schofield, head of development north at Vastint UK, says it will be the “UK’s largest new city centre park” and that the green space is what will set the development apart.