Exciting news! Leeds City Council and 54North Homes are teaming up for a new housing scheme in Armley, Leeds, bringing 28 affordable homes focused on sustainability and community impact. Stay tuned for updates on this game-changing initiative! 💚🏡 #LeedsHousingScheme #AffordableLiving #CommunityImpact 🌳🏗️
Overview of the Housing Scheme
Leeds City Council, in collaboration with 54North Homes, has embarked on a mission to bolster the city’s affordable housing portfolio. Work is slated to commence on a new, sustainable housing project situated in the Armley locality of Leeds. This initiative will see the construction of 28 budget-friendly dwellings, built on a reclaimed brownfield site along Wesley Road. The development is a testament to the council’s dedication to fostering sustainable living, backed by a £5.1 million investment. It will feature an array of 26 houses and a pair of flats, all crafted to meet exacting specifications.
Sustainability and Community Impact
The council’s approach marries sustainability with community needs. The homes will be equipped with air source heat pumps, a testament to Leeds’ environmental commitment, providing residents with eco-friendly heating and hot water solutions. Attention to local ecology is evident, as the plans include the preservation of existing mature trees, alongside the addition of individual gardens and communal landscaped spaces. The design, conceived by Brewster Bye Architects, not only promises aesthetic appeal but also harmony with the surrounding area. Ashfield Projects (Yorkshire) Ltd stands at the helm of construction, with BWA overseeing as the employers’ agent.
Funding and Accessibility
Leeds City Council is contributing up to £700,000 towards this laudable scheme, sourced from the city’s commuted sums – a fund accumulated through developer contributions to advance affordable housing. Significantly, 22 homes will be allocated for social rent, and six earmarked for shared ownership, broadening the accessibility horizon. Emphasis is on inclusivity, with initial and a substantial portion of subsequent tenancies offered to registrants on the council’s housing register.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Joanna Chambers, Director of Assets and Growth at 54North Homes, expressed enthusiasm for the venture. “Embarking on this development, as part of our growth agenda to construct approximately 250 new homes in the next trio of years, aligns with our vision. It signifies our entrance into a future where sustainability is no longer optional but integral,” she remarked. Councillor Jess Lennox, executive member for housing at Leeds City Council, highlighted the importance of the scheme. “The endeavor at Wesley Road epitomizes our commitment to creating homely environments that the residents of Leeds can be proud to inhabit,” Councillor Lennox stated.
Additional Information on the Project
The progressive housing initiative is undergirded by funding from Homes England and is a pivotal fragment of Karbon Homes Group’s strategic partnership with the government’s housing agency. This partnership has armed Karbon with £165 million to generate 2,200 affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire in the next few years.
Notes to Editors
54North Homes, an entity birthed from the merger between Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and York Housing Association in December 2022, now manages over 3,500 homes across Yorkshire. The Wesley Road development stands as a beacon of progress for affordable housing, supported by Homes England’s strategic partnership, which has bolstered Karbon Homes Group’s capacity to meet the housing needs of Northern England and Yorkshire.
For media enquiries, the Leeds City Council communications and marketing team remains available. They can be contacted via email at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or by phone at 0113 378 6007.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of the new housing scheme in Armley, Leeds, and who is involved in its development?
The new housing scheme in Armley, Leeds, is an ambitious project undertaken by Leeds City Council and 54North Homes to construct 28 affordable homes designed with sustainability and community impact in mind. This development includes an array of 26 houses and a pair of flats, all built on a reclaimed brownfield site along Wesley Road. Architects Brewster Bye and construction firm Ashfield Projects (Yorkshire) Ltd, with BWA as the employers’ agent, have collaborated to bring this initiative to fruition.
How are sustainability and environmental responsibility addressed in the Leeds housing scheme?
Sustainability is a core principle of the Leeds housing scheme, with eco-friendly features such as air source heat pumps providing heating and hot water solutions. The design emphasizes the preservation of the area’s local ecology by maintaining existing mature trees and creating individual gardens along with communal landscaped areas. The goal is to blend these new homes seamlessly into the Armley environment, promoting an eco-conscious lifestyle for residents.
What funding mechanisms and accessibility options are available for the new homes in Leeds?
Leeds City Council has allocated up to £700,000 for the housing scheme, sourced from the city’s commuted sums, which are developer contributions to support affordable housing. Of the 28 homes, 22 will be available for social rent, while six are designated for shared ownership, making the scheme accessible to a wider range of individuals. Priority for tenancy will be given to those registered on the council’s housing register, ensuring that the initiative serves those most in need of affordable housing solutions.
