Evans takes full control of Skelton Gate project

Keyland Developments has sold its stake in Templegate Developments Limited, the company driving the 170-acre Skelton Gate project near Leeds, to joint venture partner Evans Property Group.

Skelton Gate, a former colliery site near Junction 45 of the M1, has planning approval for up to 1,800 homes across three phases. The development also includes a school, local amenities, public spaces and vital infrastructure, supported by a £20 million loan from Homes England’s Home Building Fund.

Phase 1 is already underway, with 415 homes being delivered by Avant Homes and Evans Homes. Phase 2, covering 31 acres, will be sold as a fully serviced plot for further residential development. An application for Phase 3, promising 700 additional homes, is currently under review.

The scheme, which aims to deliver high-quality housing while adhering to sustainable development principles, has already contributed to the region’s housing targets and created over 500 jobs.

Following the sale, Evans Property Group will continue to spearhead the project, ensuring the realisation of Skelton Gate’s vision as a landmark mixed-use development for Leeds.

Rob Marshall, UK managing director of Evans Property Group, said: “The Skelton Gate site is one of the most significant in the Leeds City Region and our successful, long-term partnership with Keyland Developments has brought the scheme to an exciting stage.

“Three housebuilders are already building and selling houses on Phase 1 of the scheme: Avant Homes, Vistry and our own Evans Homes business.

“By acquiring 100 per cent of Phase 2 and 3 we have secured a significant pipeline for Evans Homes as we continue to grow that business, adding to existing sites at Tockwith and Skelton, and future sites at Whinmoor and Brayton.”

Peter Garrett, managing director of Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, added: “At Keyland our focus is on the early stages of the development process, using our expertise to secure planning consents on complex sites and to overcome obstacles to development.

“We are incredibly proud of our work unlocking the Skelton Gate site for development to enable a major contribution to the Leeds City Region in terms of new homes, community amenities and the job creation throughout the construction and development phases.

“Passing on our interest in this project to our partners at Evans will allow us to concentrate our efforts on our growing Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) business and on unlocking further opportunities from Yorkshire Water’s 70,000-acre land portfolio.”

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