Work starts on South Bank green scheme

WORK on the first residential phase of a sustainable neighbourhood in the heart of South Bank in Leeds is underway.

Developer Citu’s ‘Climate Innovation District’, located on six acres of brownfield land off East Street and South Accommodation Road will include 150 energy-efficient timber frame houses and 162 apartments.

The first phase of development has been kick-started by a loan of £7.7m from the Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund (RIF), set up by a partnership of seven Yorkshire local authorities that aims to support projects which accelerate economic growth and job creation in the Leeds City Region, in a deal secured by Leeds-based legal advisors Squire Patton Boggs.   

Joanne Roney, chair of the RIF and chief executive of Wakefield Council, said: “The RIF is delighted to invest in this scheme. Being able to anticipate future market trends and provide loan funding for innovative projects such as this – that will provide economic, employment and environmental benefits across the region – is precisely why the Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund was established.”

The residential scheme, located on the south bank of the River Aire, will feature one and two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom zero-carbon homes, designed around public open spaces.

Chris Thompson, director and founder of Citu: “With the support of the Council, the LEP and the RIF, we’re able to start on site with the initial phase of low-carbon homes and take that first step towards making the Climate Innovation District a reality.

“This area has long played a key role in Leeds’s history, once the heart of manufacturing in the city. It makes sense that it will now be home to a green revolution; a sustainable community where families, downsizers, singletons and couples can live in medium density neighbourhoods that are well designed, low energy and peppered with the necessary amenities to sustain a happy existence.”

Building contractor Sirius has started remediation work on site, with the first homes due for completion in early 2017.
 
Leader of Leeds City Council Judith Blake said: “We are very pleased to see this bold, ambitious and innovative development in South Bank Leeds being supported with the first approved loan from the Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund. This project fits perfectly with the regeneration ideals the fund is looking to encourage so we look forward to closely following its development in the coming months and years.”