Construction to begin on apartments at former site of social club

Work is to start on site this month to build 58 affordable homes in Leeds on the site of the former Yorkshire Rider Social Club, in Railway Street.

54North Homes’ scheme will include 28 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments.

Homes will be energy efficient, with heat pumps providing hot water, EV charging points and cycle storage to facilitate green travel.

The £12m scheme is the first new-build development to be built by affordable housing provider, 54North Homes, which manages over 3,000 homes throughout Yorkshire.

54NorthHomes was formed in December 2022 through a merger between Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and York Housing Association. It is now a subsidiary of the Karbon Homes Group.

Its new development has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects and will be built by Caddick Construction.

Grant support has been provided by Homes England Strategic Partnership funding, Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through its devolved Brownfield Housing Fund.

Joanna Chambers, director of assets and growth at 54North Homes, said: “We have been working closely with Leeds City Council for almost four years to develop the plans for this attractive, new development and are excited that building work is finally beginning.

“There is a significant need for more affordable housing in central Leeds and this scheme will regenerate a currently unused area of land into a vibrant living space close to the excellent transport links and amenities the city centre has to offer.”

The land at Railway Street was sold by the council to 54North Homes for the delivery of affordable housing, with all initial tenancies due to be made available to applicants on the council’s housing register.

Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “Increasing the provision of affordable housing forms a key part of our efforts to ensure Leeds is a city that has opportunities and communities for all.

“The progress we have made and are continuing to make in this area is illustrated perfectly by schemes such as this one at Railway Street, where council grant support and land assets are being used to deliver high-quality, energy efficient homes and attractive outdoor spaces.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “As someone who grew up in social housing, I understand the importance of having a safe and affordable place to call home.

“Secure housing impacts positively on every aspect of a person’s life, so I was thrilled to be able to help fund dozens of good quality, energy-efficient and sustainable homes at Railway Street in Leeds.”

Associate Gareth Jackson, from Brewster Bye Architects, added: “Our design centred on creating a stand-out development that not only looks great but works hard from a sustainability perspective.  The undulating, lively form of the building, which is orientated north to south to continue the urban grain of Saxton Gardens, is both attractive but practical, as it minimises noise reflectance.”

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