Outline planning consent was achieved in July 2011 and the developer has now submitted detailed designs for the three main buildings.

These include a flagship John Lewis store, a Victoria Gate arcade, with up to 30 stores, restaurants and a multi-storey car park for up to 800 cars.

The application will be determined by Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel in the autumn and subject to positive determination, construction will start in spring 2014.

Victoria Gate’s Project Director, Joe Swindells, said: “We’re pleased to be submitting the detailed planning applications which, if determined, will be another key milestone towards getting construction underway.

“We are confident that we have developed the best possible scheme to help put Leeds on the map as one of the UK’s top retail destinations.”

Jeremy Collins, Property Director, John Lewis added: “The project is making significant progress and this marks an important milestone in providing Leeds with a full-line flagship John Lewis department store and a premium quality shopping destination.”

The first phase will create up to 1,500 retail and hospitality jobs and 6,000 construction employment opportunities.