In a significant boost to housing availability, a total of 69 high-quality homes have been constructed and handed over to tenants through two council housing schemes in Leeds. These developments, located in Seacroft and Holbeck, not only provide modern living spaces but also contribute positively to the wider community.
Part of Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP), the completed projects serve as exemplary models of how regeneration initiatives extend beyond mere construction.
The Tarnside & Mardale scheme in Seacroft, positioned between York Road and Foundry Mill Street, comprises 41 houses built to energy-efficient and eco-friendly specifications.
Meanwhile, the Holbeck development at Meynell Approach features 28 homes, consisting of 14 houses and 14 apartments, on the site of a former tower block. The properties incorporate special heat loss-minimising windows, water-saving devices, and in some cases, solar panels.
Wates, the construction company responsible for the Seacroft development, and United Living New Homes, the contractor for the Holbeck project, have played integral roles in ensuring the schemes have a far-reaching impact beyond the properties themselves.
Through its charitable arm, the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, Wates has provided funding to numerous local community groups, supporting initiatives such as food pantries, residential weekend trips for children, and equipment purchases for junior sports teams.
Additionally, Wates partnered with schools in the Seacroft area to facilitate site visits, work experience placements, and apprenticeships. The names of two new streets within the development, Red Kite Court and Sunflower Close, were chosen by Parklands Primary School, Seacroft Grange Primary School, and the SCOT (Seacroft Community On Top) group.
Likewise, United Living New Homes achieved remarkable community engagement results during the construction of the Holbeck development. The company safeguarded 15 apprenticeships and created four new jobs, organized construction-themed learning days for local college students and staff, and collaborated with Leeds Wood Recycling social enterprise to collect waste wood from the site.
The Council Housing Growth Programme, spearheaded by Leeds City Council, aims to bolster social housing stock in the city, fostering inclusive growth and enhancing the overall health and well-being of the population.
According to Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and housing, these new properties exemplify the council’s commitment to creating thriving and inclusive communities. He highlighted the importance of providing quality homes that meet the needs of residents and praised the high standards of design and construction showcased in the energy-efficient council housing developments.
In addition to the provision of new homes, the council’s CHGP has brought forth other completed and approved schemes, including Healey Croft in Tingley, Heights Lane in Armley, and a general needs and extra care development off Middleton Park Avenue in Middleton.
The completion of the Seacroft and Holbeck developments demonstrates the power of collaboration and an inclusive growth vision, positively impacting individuals of all ages. Through apprenticeships, community support, and high standards of design, these housing schemes contribute to Leeds’s vision of becoming the best possible place to live.
