Plans to invest £3 million to build almost 300 new, affordable homes in Leeds look set to be approved by regional leaders.
The proposals will see high-quality dwellings for rent built on brownfield sites across the city, as part of West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin’s efforts to turbocharge regeneration.
Up to 88 new homes will be built in Seacroft and Gipton, in east Leeds, while 204 rented homes are earmarked for Saxton Lane, in Leeds city centre. The homes will benefit from a range of measures that will help tenants save money on energy bills, such as through heat pumps.
A full meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will consider the plans today (Thursday, December 7).
Funding for the new homes is part of a wider £89 million Brownfield Housing Fund devolved to the region from the Government.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Everyone should have access to a safe and secure place to call home, so I’m delighted we’re able to bring forward plans for hundreds of new homes in Leeds.
“These schemes would be an important step forward in our mission to build a brighter, more vibrant West Yorkshire that works that for all.
“However, the Government must now provide the flexibility we need to make better use of disused land and buildings so that we can deliver thousands more homes right across the region.”
Mayor Brabin has called on the Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove to allow for more flexibility to develop on brownfield land.
Current government rules make it difficult for regional leaders to back housing projects in areas where the land values are relatively low, yet regeneration is needed.
In a letter to Mr Gove, Mayor Brabin said the overall financial benefit of multiple sites should be assessed instead of each site on its own, opening up more opportunities for housebuilding across West Yorkshire.
Mayor Brabin has also recently launched a consultation so the public can have their say on a new housing strategy for West Yorkshire.
The strategy will aim to boost the delivery of high-quality, affordable housing and improve the quality of existing homes to cut energy bills.
