Work commences on £140m housing regeneration scheme in East Leeds

Leeds City Council’s ‘significant’ Brownfield Development Programme across East Leeds is now underway.

Keepmoat Homes and Strata have begun development work on sites at Brooklands Avenue, York Road and Kentmere Approach in Seacroft and Cartmell Drive in Halton Moor, in what is the initial phase of the £140m regeneration scheme.

The overall programme will help to regenerate the neighbourhoods of Seacroft, Halton Moor and Osmondthorpe, delivering almost 1,000 new homes.

A further 700 homes will be delivered on land to the rear of Seacroft hospital with the entire investment creating 900 new jobs.

Keepmoat and Strata secured planning permission for 13 significant developments sites across East Leeds.

The development follows the marketing of the sites as a package by the Council in 2015, which has worked with both developers over the last 18 months.

The initial phase of the Brownfield Development Programme will see the construction of 178, two, three and four-bedroom homes at Brooklands Avenue, 33, three and four–bedroom homes at York Road and 45, two and three-bedroom homes at Cartmell Drive.

In addition, Kentmere Approach will see the delivery of 128, two, three and four-bedroom homes over the next two years and development at Bishops Way is due to commence shortly, which will provide a further 109 homes for the area.

Keepmoat Homes and Strata Homes will be delivering 1,700 new houses in total over ten years, averaging 150 new homes per year. This includes the delivery of 700 new homes on land to the rear of Seacroft Hospital which is the largest single development site.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “This is the largest single private housing deal we’ve done for some years in Leeds and reaffirms that with the right strategy the delivery of new homes on brownfield land can be successfully achieved.

“It is testament to the Council’s approach of bringing sites to the market in a way that offers confidence and certainty to developers and gives them the opportunity to make a long-term commitment in parts of the city where some housebuilders won’t think of investing.”

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council executive member for communities, added: “This programme in Seacroft and Halton Moor is significant and will deliver major regeneration within these communities including new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities. “This partnership working with developers is important to help bring about benefits for existing residents as well as attracting new people to the area through a greater range of high quality and affordable housing options.”

Ian Hoad, managing director of Keepmoat West Yorkshire, also commented: “This is an exciting time for Leeds as the city undergoes some major changes. We’re delighted to be delivering much needed houses to local residents, as part of Leeds City Council’s extensive regeneration vision, as well as providing local jobs and training opportunities.

“The brownfield sites offer huge potential for redevelopment which the Council has recognised and we look forward to working with Strata Homes to make the vision a reality.”

Andrew Weaver, chief executive of Strata, concluded: “We are extremely pleased to be a part of an exciting and unique partnership that will not only meet local housing requirements but also deliver on so many different levels; from enhancing the local community through to developing skills as a result of the local job opportunities that it will create. We’re excited to see the ideas and vision come to life for the benefit of the city and local residents.”