Tower block site set to become estate for smaller family homes

the site of two demolished tower blocks in one of West Yorkshire’s most deprived neighbourhoods looks set to return to being an area for housing.

Leeds City Council has joined forces with the Homes and Communities Agency to apply for outline planning permission for a residential development on cleared land at Cartmell Drive at Halton Moor in the city.

They have come up with a proposal for a mix of two, three and four-bed homes for private and affordable housing.

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A council planning report says that some of the land to be developed is classed as “greenfield” but the majority of it has “brownfield” status.

Confining the housing development to the “footprints” of the two former tower blocks, as previously proposed, is no longer considered to be sensible because the boundaries are irregular, the report says.

The provision of green space within the proposed housing development will be an improvement on the existing open space, it says.

“The re-provision of an area of greenspace on-site will provide an opportunity to create an attractive and more usable greenspace area to complement and enhance existing linkages at the site through to the adjacent Wyke Beck valley.”

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The proposed development of about 34 homes – potentially both private and public – will help create a more “mixed community” in the Halton Moor area, according to the council.

The report, to be discussed by councillors this Thursday, concludes: “The proposed development will facilitate delivery of housing in an area that is ranked as one of the most deprived in the country.

“The re-establishment of residential development at this site is considered to be compatible with its surroundings. Whilst the proposed development will result in a loss to existing greenspace, through reconfiguration and replacement, the proposal would bring about enhancements to greenspace provision for the benefit of the Wyke Beck valley corridor and local resident users.

“Furthermore, the proposal will bring the vacant site back into use and offer the potential to create an attractive new residential development, which subject to assessment, will be of benefit to the locality.”

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The planning report says the site was previously identified for housing as part of a regeneration scheme which was withdrawn due to the recession.

One of the aspirations of that scheme was to broaden the range of housing available. The area falls within the top 10 per cent most deprived communities in the UK.

The drive towards “mixed communities” is to “create neighbourhoods which are more sustainable by ensuring a broader social mix of occupants” whose income would support local services and “improves the image and reputation of poorer areas to encourage further investment,” the report adds.

The council says the new scheme would contribute to these aspirations.

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A council spokesman said: “The Cartmell Drive, Halton Moor site is included in the long term East Leeds regeneration programme.

“As we are just applying for outline planning permission at this stage it is too early to say what kind of housing will be on the site.

“Outline planning permission is part of feasibility work and will help to create a more viable site for development in the future.

“Getting this permission will also help us attract a private developer to work in partnership with when the site is marketed.

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“Outline planning consent will also help establish design principles. The drawings and plans indicate potential unit numbers, size and layout and could change if a firm proposal is made in the future, when it is envisaged that a sustainable mix of tenure options and affordable homes will be agreed.”

Members of the plans panel east are due to meet on Thursday at 1.30pm.