Building starts on city's first council homes in 15 years

The new homes will be built for those aged 55 and older in order to free up existing homes that are more suited to families.

Two of the three sites are in Wortley, on Silver Royd Hill and Evelyn Place, with the final site in Waterloo Road, Pudsey.

Representatives from the partnership behind the development attended a ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of work on site.

The partnership comprises developer Keepmoat Homes, Leeds City Council, West North West Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) – which is part funding the venture.

The first homes are expected to be completed by the spring of 2011.

Coun Peter Gruen, executive board member for neighbourhoods and housing at the council, attended the ceremony on the former Waterloo Road School Site, off Waterloo Road, in Pudsey.

He said: "The start of work at these three sites is a key event for the city. It is the result of determination from all partners to provide what our residents need. We are confident in our plans for the sites and are delighted that they are now underway.

"We look forward to good and timely progress so that we can hand the keys over as soon as possible."

In total Keepmoat Homes will build 47 new homes, 25 to be managed by West North West Homes and 22 for private sale at the Pudsey site.

David Ward, regional managing director of Keepmoat Homes Yorkshire, said: "The partnership has worked hard to ensure these developments go ahead and I know we're all committed to delivering new, quality and affordable housing in Pudsey and Wortley. We are delivering some excellent new homes in Yorkshire and I am very much looking forward to seeing this development completed and the first residents move in."

HCA area manager Richard Panter added: "The mix of homes for rent and sale will allow local people to live in homes that meet their needs at a price they can afford."

Details of the types of homes and sale prices are expected to be released shortly.