Work to begin on constructing dozens of affordable houses and apartments

Construction work is set to start on an affordable scheme to help ease housing pressures in Leeds.

Leeds City Council secured planning permission last month for the project, which will see a total of 82 homes being built on a former school site at Hough Top, in Swinnow, near Pudsey.

It is anticipated that the main phase of construction could begin as soon as next month.

The scheme – which is being delivered via Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP) – will comprise 55 houses and 27 apartments, with a mix of one, two, three and four bedrooms.

All properties will be made available for affordable rent. The development is due to be delivered for the council by construction and property services company Willmott Dixon.

The company has been leading pre-construction work at the 2.5-hectare site, which has lain empty since the demolition of the former Hough Side High School buildings in 2021 and 2022.

Most of the funding for the development – scheduled for completion in late 2026 – is being provided by the council’s housing service via Right to Buy receipts and borrowing, with £1.64m of grant support due to come from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “We are determined to ensure everyone in Leeds is able to enjoy the stability and security that comes with a good-quality home, with the increased provision of affordable housing having a central part to play in that.

“It’s really encouraging news, therefore, that the main phase of construction work on the residential development at Hough Top is due to begin shortly.

“These affordable homes will make a hugely positive difference to people’s lives, and will bring back into use an allocated housing site that has good access to public transport, green space and local services.

“Schemes such as this one are particularly important in a ward like Pudsey, where we know there is a very high demand for affordable housing.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added: “We believe that having a safe and secure place to live is a fundamental right, which is why we’re investing vital funds to deliver thousands of much-needed homes across West Yorkshire.

“Together with our partners like Leeds City Council, we’re dedicated to building a greener, more secure region for future generations.”

At least 350 new homes have been built via the council’s CHGP since 2018. More than 340 homes have also been acquired as part of the programme.