More affordable homes to be built on inner-city site

The inner-city site of the Beverleys in Beeston will provide 55 new family homes for social rent and shared ownership thanks to Leeds Council’s Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership.

Chevin Housing Association and Unity Housing Association will start work on the £5.7m development this week with contractor Bramall Construction, part of the Keepmoat group. The scheme is part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency.

The development will be made up of 26 three-bed houses, 19 four-bed houses and 10 two-bed houses. There will be 28 homes for social rent and 27 for shared ownership.

Four local apprentices have been recruited for bricklaying and joinery positions.

Councillor Peter Gruen, Leeds Council’s executive board member with responsibility for housing, said: “Since 2008, we have delivered over 1,600 new affordable homes, but there is still huge further demand for affordable family housing.

“This development will provide an additional 55 properties and support the council in achieving its aim of increasing the number of affordable homes for the city in addition to providing specific regeneration benefits for the local community including an area of green space. I look forward to seeing the finished result later in the year.”

Neil Baxter, of Bramall Construction, said: “We’re delighted to join with our partners on this scheme to mark the start of the build of the new homes at the Beverleys.

“We’re pleased that we are able to offer opportunities for local people to improve their skills and employability through apprenticeships and our links with local schools and colleges.

“We hope to work closely with the people living around the site in order to leave a long-lasting legacy in the community.”

Unity Housing Association’s Wayne Noteman said: “The properties which will be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, will have a range of energy saving measures which will make the properties approximately 40 per cent more energy efficient than houses built to current Building Regs. This will significantly reduce energy bills for prospective residents.”