In the heart of Armley, Leeds, the Middlecross development is set to transform a dormant brownfield site into 65 energy-efficient, affordable apartments tailored for older individuals seeking independent living. This ambitious project, expected to commence in March 2023 and conclude by early 2027, will also feature care facilities and communal spaces, addressing local health and wellbeing while supporting the city’s net zero targets.
What is the new affordable extra care housing development in Leeds?
The Middlecross development in Leeds is a new housing initiative providing 65 energy-efficient, affordable apartments for independent living tailored to older individuals. It features care facilities, communal spaces, and aims to address local health and wellbeing while supporting the city’s net zero targets.
Introduction to the Development
Leeds City Council has announced the initiation of a construction project that will significantly enhance the Armley community. The Middlecross development, a highly anticipated extra care housing scheme, is expected to begin construction soon. This initiative will provide 65 high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable apartments designed for independent living tailored to older individuals. The development, positioned on a previously unused brownfield site, stands as a testament to the council’s dedication to community improvement and sustainable living.
The project is not just about housing; it includes care facilities and communal spaces. A notable feature is a dining area capable of accommodating up to 50 residents. Anticipated to break ground in March this year, the project will continue until early 2027. Following the demolition of the Middlecross Day Centre in 2018, the two-acre site has lain dormant. Its rejuvenation will contribute to Leeds’s net zero targets, as the apartments will embody energy efficiency and incorporate ground source heat pump technology.
Moreover, the council’s commitment to affordability is clear. The scheme aims at providing homes at affordable rents, thereby addressing the health and wellbeing of the local population and tackling broader issues such as fuel poverty. Funding for this development is secured primarily through the council’s housing service, supplemented by Right to Buy receipts, borrowing, and grant support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
Community Impact and Statements
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, expressed the council’s vision for the city, emphasizing the importance of accessible, high-quality housing. “We are committed to ensuring that Leeds is a city synonymous with safe, warm and good-quality homes, with the increased provision of affordable housing having a key role to play in that,” he stated. The construction of the Middlecross scheme is a reflection of the council’s dedication to this vision and a response to the shortage of affordable extra care housing in the city.
The development will serve as a beacon for the Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP), which has been instrumental in bringing positive change to communities across Leeds. It’s not just homes that are being built; employment, apprenticeship, and skills development opportunities will arise from this initiative, benefiting the wider community.
Echoing the council’s sentiments, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, acknowledged the strategic investment in this new site as a commitment to building a secure future. “Our investment in this new site in Leeds will help build more much-needed, high-quality homes,” she said, affirming the right to secure housing and the pursuit of a greener region with partners like Leeds City Council.
The Broader Perspective and Additional Developments
The CHGP has been an engine of change, delivering more than 350 new homes since 2018 and acquiring over 340 properties. These efforts are crucial in easing the affordable housing pressures in Leeds. They also facilitate downsizing, freeing up larger homes for families in need. The program thus aligns with the goal of fostering inclusive growth and improving health and wellbeing for the community. New homes recently completed under CHGP span various locations, including Seacroft and Chapel Allerton, contributing to a more diversified social housing stock.
Notably, the program’s achievements were celebrated with the Middleton development’s Gascoigne House winning an award for best purpose-built accommodation. This accolade underlines the quality and commitment embedded in the council’s housing initiatives. As construction on the Middlecross scheme begins, it marks another chapter in the ongoing narrative of sustainable and inclusive community development in Leeds.
As Leeds continues to grow and adapt, projects like the Middlecross development are essential in meeting the housing needs of a diverse population. With its integrated approach to caring, living, and environmental sustainability, the scheme represents a forward-thinking blueprint for urban regeneration. The investment in such developments underscores a collective resolve to ensure a thriving, equitable future for all residents of Leeds.
ENDS
- The Middlecross development in Armley, Leeds, will provide 65 energy-efficient, affordable apartments designed for older individuals seeking independent living.
- Construction is set to begin in March 2023 and is expected to conclude by early 2027, featuring care facilities and communal spaces.
- The project aims to enhance local health and wellbeing while contributing to Leeds’s net zero targets through energy-efficient design and technology.
- Funding for the development primarily comes from the council’s housing service, supplemented by Right to Buy receipts, borrowing, and grants.
- The initiative is part of the Council Housing Growth Programme, which has delivered over 350 new homes since 2018, addressing affordable housing pressures in the area.