Plans for £190m Yorkshire development revealed
YORKSHIRE construction firm GMI Holdings and Barratt David Wilson Homes have unveiled proposals for a £190m development near Leeds.
If approved, the 860-home scheme will create and sustain around 200 jobs and open the way for the investment into primary education and a community hub for the village of Scholes – seven miles north east of Leeds.
This hub is earmarked to include a convenience store, new GP surgery and possibly a small pharmacy, and the developers are keen to work closely with local residents to determine the precise nature of the improvements.
The scheme could also lead to the creation of new recreation and play areas, cash support for nearby secondary education and a major improvement to the local road and transport network.
The developers have earmarked two sites for housing, which will leading to the creation of 860 new dwellings with 15% of these earmarked as affordable homes for local people or an equivalent financial contribution.
Chris Gilman, managing director of GMI Holdings, said: “This development will produce significant benefits for Scholes and prove to be a major boost to the local economy.
“We estimate the construction of the homes will create 80 full-time jobs and the knock-on effects in the local economy will create and support over 100 jobs
“Leeds Council will receive £7.7m in New Homes Bonus, over £1m in council tax revenues and the development will boost the local economy to the tune of £12m a year.
“GMI and Barratt David Wilson look forward to engaging with the local community regarding proposals for future housing development in Scholes.”
The developers are proposing to build 800 new homes and associated community facilities on land to the east of Scholes, with proposals for a further 60 new homes off Station Road, to the west.
The planning application is being handled by the Leeds office of national planning consultancy Nathaniel Lichfield: & Partners (NLP).
NLP director Chris Harrison said “With over 70,000 new homes required by 2028, the development of new sites such as these is needed to address the current housing shortage in Leeds.
“In addition to delivering much needed housing, we are also proposing to make land available in the development for open space, allotments, play areas and other community uses.
“We would therefore like to hear from local people about what facilities they would like to see incorporated and how the developments could support the existing community.
“In particular we are keen to speak with local residents about how the developments could best contribute to improved education provision in Scholes, particularly at primary level.”
The proposals include building a new primary school as part of the East Scholes extension with Scholes Elmet Primary School remaining or, alternatively, an entire new school to replace the existing school and serve existing and new pupils.
If approved, the project would be undertaken over a 10 year period and would provide a mix of new housing for families, first time buyers and older people, helping respond to the acute housing needs of Leeds.
The population and size of Scholes increased significantly between the 1950s and the 1970s, but there has been very little development since.
