Labour in Leeds

Plans could see 20,000 ‘green’ homes for Leeds

20,000 ‘green’ homes could be created – along with thousands of new jobs – by a massive regeneration project in the south of Leeds.

Plans for being submitted to Leeds City Council’s executive board today (Wednesday 21st July) for a new ‘urban eco settlement’ in the Aire Valley Leeds area, which would see 12,000 new homes and 8,000 retrofitted with low carbon and fuel poverty measures.

The proposals form part of a report into the future for the regeneration scheme, which includes plans to develop ‘stepping stones’ linking the city centre to the Aire Valley Leeds area and boosting development along the East Leeds Link Road.

Low carbon homes are already being developed in the area, with 600 properties on the Yarm Street and Saxton Gardens sites – provided by Miller Homes and Urban Splash respectively – which have already attracted £23million of support through the Kickstart and Low Carbon Infrastructure funds. This money will help provide a locally-generated combined heat and power system for Yarm Street.

And in May this year, the executive board approved a group repair scheme for the Cross Green area, which could now include fitting solar panels and air source heating to homes.

Aire Valley Leeds is projected to create up to 40,000 jobs, around 400 hectares of development land, and a million square metres of new employment floorspace – all connected to the road network by the new £32million East Leeds Link Road.

Labour Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for development, said:
"Aire Valley Leeds promises to lead the city's economic development over the next ten years with a million square metres of employment space creating up to 27,000 jobs.
“But it’s not just about business – the plans for an ‘eco settlement’ of up to 20,000 new and refurbished homes are a major step towards providing much-needed affordable homes for the city and cutting our carbon emissions too.
"Despite the current economic difficulties, Leeds is looking to the future and Aire Valley Leeds will have a major role to play in generating growth and prosperity for the city and the wider region."