Green light for 2,000 homes on 250-acre urban extension

White Laithe Developments, as part of a consortium of landowners, has secured planning consent from Leeds City Council to turn land into a residential-led urban extension with 2,000 homes.

Approval has been granted for the creation of the new community at Whinmoor, which as well as the homes would feature a local centre, a primary school, public open space and part of the East Leeds Orbital Road.

The circa 250-acre site comprises three adjacent parcels of land, off Coal Road and Skelton Lane, between the A58 Wetherby Road and the A64 York Road.

The residential development, which will be the primary land use within the site, will incorporate a mix of market and affordable homes from two bedroom apartments to five bedroom townhouses.

Leeds City Council is required to deliver 51,952 new dwellings between 2017 and 2033, with a target that 3,247 homes per year should be delivered.

The land at Whinmoor will accommodate 2,000 units of the wider East Leeds Extension site, which has an allocated capacity of 3,771 homes.

Peter Garrett, managing director of Keyland Developments – one of the JV partners, said: “The planning consent has facilitated an entirely new extension of Leeds to bring about much-needed housing and associated community facilities as well as a vital new road connection.

“The development has the potential to deliver a multitude of economic and social benefits, including significant job creation, and we are pleased to have played a role in unlocking its potential.”

John Carter, director at Evans Property Group – also a JV partner, added: “Developments of this scale have the ability to ensure the long-term success of cities and we’re delighted this strategic site at Whinmoor will be brought to life as a vibrant mixed-use development with a community at its heart.

“Development of sites like this is crucial and we are looking forward to seeing the scheme progress.”