Work begins on Leeds City Council projects to create new housing and jobs

Work is now underway at two vacant sites in Leeds to create new council housing and job opportunities.

Garnet Grove in Beeston and Broadlea Street in Bramley, will be the locations for new council housing as part of Leeds City Council’s housing growth programme.

Apart from providing a total of 49 new homes, the projects will also offer a number of employment and training opportunities including apprenticeships to be advertised locally.

The schemes are the latest to begin through the council’s programme of new build council housing, working with Kier Construction Limited as the development partner across both sites as well as at a third on the former Whinmoor pub in Swarcliffe, where a planning application to provide an additional 22 homes is to be considered shortly.

At Garnet Grove, the programme will deliver 19 two-bed and six three-bed properties, while Broadlea Street will see 22 two-bed and two three-bed homes created, with work at both sites due be completed before the end of next year.

The three sites including Swarcliffe form the next phase of the council housing growth programme, which will see around 1,000 new council homes built in the coming years.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council executive member for communities, said: “We are delighted to see work starting on these new homes through the housing growth programme, which will provide much-needed affordable rental accommodation.

“We are excited to be working on this new approach on all aspects of the design and build with Kier Construction Limited to offer attractive new energy-efficient homes and look forward to seeing these projects complete.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, added: “As part of our commitment to provide a thousand new council homes, these schemes fit with our desire to see brownfield sites redeveloped into attractive new affordable housing meeting the needs of local communities.

“They also offer potential job and training opportunities which again is important especially for young people in these areas to make the most of.”

On behalf of Kier Construction, operations director Jon Rukin commented: “We’re excited to have started on site at both developments to deliver this much-needed affordable housing.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Leeds City Council on its housing growth programme to provide properties that meet the needs of local communities, now and in the future.”