£5 million scheme transforms vacant site

A new affordable housing development has officially opened in Leeds, delivering energy-efficient homes on a previously unused site.

54North Homes has completed the £5 million Pilkington Grove development in Armley, providing 28 affordable homes including 26 houses and two flats.

Built on a former Church of England site off Wesley Road, the scheme has brought a brownfield site back into use after it remained vacant for two decades. 

The development has also retained mature trees and landscaping to support biodiversity.

Designed with sustainability in mind, all homes have achieved an EPC A rating and feature solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points. 

The properties also include private gardens and access to landscaped communal areas.

Jonathan Fletcher, managing director at 54North Homes, which now owns and manages more than 4000 affordable homes across Yorkshire, said: “We were delighted to welcome customers, partners and councillors to the opening event. 

“It’s fantastic to see the development complete and meet the new residents who are really enjoying their new homes. 

“It was great to chat with them and hear about how they’re settling in.”

Attending the event, councillor Peter Carlill, executive member for transport and planning at Leeds City Council, added: “It’s great to see this high-quality affordable housing development completed in Armley, transforming a long-empty site into much-needed new homes for local people.

“Developments like Pilkington Grove are a strong example of how we are working with partners to deliver sustainable, well-connected communities with energy-efficient homes that help tackle both the housing challenge and our climate ambitions.

“We’re pleased to have supported this scheme and to see residents now moving in and benefiting from these modern, affordable homes.”

The development was supported by Leeds City Council funding and forms part of wider efforts to increase affordable housing delivery across the region.

Funding was also provided by Homes England through Karbon Group’s strategic partnership, with Ashfield Group appointed as contractor and Brewster Bye Architects responsible for the design.

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