Hundreds of homes to be built on former leatherworks site

Leeds City Council has approved plans for hundreds of new homes which will redevelop the derelict Hilltop Works site on Buslingthorpe Lane, in Chapeltown.

The £70m regeneration scheme, from Domus UK Ltd, will see 371 apartments built across five residential blocks, the tallest of which will rise to 10 storeys.

Plans also include new community space, a children’s play area, and undercroft and surface car parking.

In recognition of the heritage significance of the former leatherworks site, a prominent boundary wall along Buslingthorpe Lane will be retained and repaired along its full length.

In addition, the landmark chimney stack will also be repaired and rebuilt to its original height, adding over 15 metres to the existing structure.

Ian Layford, investment director at Domus UK, said: “We have been working with the council and local stakeholders on the plans for Hilltop Works for over five years and we are thrilled to have achieved permission to transform this site.

“As well as over 350 new homes, these plans will respect and retain the history of the site and deliver community facilities that are so important. This will be another landmark scheme in the city and will provide a welcome boost to the Chapeltown area.”

The scheme will comprise 132 one-bed, 198 two-bed and 41 three-bed apartments – with 26 apartments being designated as affordable housing.

The project team for the scheme included Smith Jenkins Planning & Heritage and Hester Architects.