Igniting hope in Armley, Leeds, a new development on the former Tower Works factory site now offers 50 vibrant, energy-efficient homes – 27 houses and 23 apartments – for affordable and social rent. This transformative project, backed by Leeds City Council, prioritizes residents on the housing register, ensuring those most in need can access stable, sustainable living with features like solar panels and smart water tanks.
What is the new affordable housing development in Armley, Leeds and what are its key features?
The Armley development in Leeds delivers 50 new affordable homes – 27 houses and 23 apartments – for affordable and social rent. Prioritizing those on the council’s housing register, all homes meet high energy efficiency standards, featuring solar panels and smart water tanks, and support sustainable community regeneration.
Transforming Armley: From Factory Site to Vibrant Community
A significant new housing development is underway in Leeds, offering a fresh start for residents seeking affordable and social rent options. Located on a former factory site off Moorfield Road in Armley, this development marks a pivotal moment for local housing initiatives. Since the middle of last year, construction has advanced rapidly, with the first five homes now completed and ready for occupation. In total, the scheme comprises 27 houses and 23 apartments, each designed to the latest energy efficiency standards.
The redevelopment of the old Tower Works factory site is not only addressing the pressing need for housing, but is also revitalizing an area that had been vacant and derelict for several years. This new life is expected to bring both social and economic benefits, fostering a renewed sense of community. The scheme is a partnership effort, delivered by Yorkshire Housing in collaboration with Termrim Construction, supported by Leeds City Council and Homes England. It demonstrates the strong outcomes that can be achieved through effective cooperation among local authorities, housing associations, and private sector partners.
Leeds City Council has backed the project with a £750,000 affordable housing grant, underlining its commitment to boosting the city’s housing stock. Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, highlighted the impact: “Schemes like the one taking shape at Moorfield Road can have a transformative effect on people’s lives, so it’s really good news that its first homes have been completed and tenants can now start moving in.”
Affordable and Social Rent: Meeting Local Needs
The development is specifically designed to address the diverse needs of Leeds’ residents by providing a range of housing sizes, from one to four bedrooms. All homes are available for affordable or social rent, making them accessible to individuals and families who may be priced out of the private rental market. Of the 50 new homes, 18 will be offered for social rent – the most affordable tenure, with rents set by a formula based on local incomes, property values, and size.
Initial tenancy allocations prioritize people on the council’s housing register, ensuring that those facing the greatest housing need are given priority. In fact, all initial lets and 60% of future ones will go to residents on this register. This approach aligns with the council’s broader strategy to provide long-term stability and opportunity for families and individuals who need it most.
Sian Webster, executive director of growth and assets at Yorkshire Housing, emphasized the importance of this focus: “We know how urgently families in Leeds need affordable homes, so it’s fantastic to see these completed and ready for people to move in. Every home here is being made available for affordable or social rent and built to meet the needs of local residents – whether they’re young families starting out or older people looking for stability.”
Building for the Future: Energy Efficiency and Community Benefits
A defining feature of the Moorfield Road project is its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. Each home is constructed to stringent energy standards, incorporating solar panels that help lower energy costs and reduce carbon footprints. Apartments are also equipped with smart hot water tanks, an innovation that “learns” household usage patterns to optimize energy consumption, thereby minimizing bills.
The development’s benefits extend beyond individual households to the wider Armley community. By transforming a previously derelict site, the project supports neighborhood regeneration and encourages additional investment in local infrastructure. Residents gain not only new homes but also a safer, more attractive environment in which to live and grow.
Jason McGarvey, commercial director at Termrim Construction, remarked, “As the first new homes are handed over, we are proud to have played our part in delivering this important development with our valued client, Yorkshire Housing. Thanks to careful planning and a truly collaborative approach, together the team has created a high-quality scheme that will provide 50 affordable, energy efficient homes with lasting benefits for the local community.”
Scaling Up: Leeds and Regional Affordable Housing Progress
The Moorfield Road initiative is part of a broader movement in Leeds to address housing affordability and availability. Over the past five years, approximately 2,900 affordable homes have been delivered in the city, more than in any other large UK city outside London. Of these, 788 homes were directly provided by the council, while around 400 were built by registered providers, such as housing associations, facilitated through council land and funding.
Looking to the future, projections indicate that Leeds will see an average of more than 800 affordable homes delivered annually over the next three years. This momentum is the result of combined efforts from the council, registered providers, and private sector developers, demonstrating the value of sustained, multi-agency partnerships.
Yorkshire Housing, one of the key partners in the Moorfield Road project, has set an ambitious goal to deliver 8,000 new affordable homes across Yorkshire. With over half of these already completed, the organization is well on its way to fulfilling this commitment, contributing significantly to the region’s housing resilience. As Sian Webster noted, “This development is also a key part of our wider ambition to deliver 8,000 new affordable homes across Yorkshire. With over half already built, we’re making real progress towards this.”
Understanding Affordable Housing: Key Facts
To clarify, the term “affordable housing” refers to homes that are rented out below prevailing local market rates or made available through low-cost ownership schemes. Affordable rent is defined as being at least 20% below the local market rate, while social rent is typically even lower, calculated based on factors such as local incomes, property size, and property value. This distinction ensures that individuals and families with lower incomes have viable, secure housing options.
Key elements of the Moorfield Road development include:
- 50 new homes: 27 houses and 23 apartments
- All homes available for affordable or social rent
- 18 homes for social rent (the most affordable option)
- Priority allocation for people on the council’s housing register
- High energy efficiency standards, including solar panels and smart hot water tanks
For further information on affordable housing initiatives in Leeds, visit the Leeds City Council Housing page.
This collaborative approach is helping to open new doors for Leeds residents, creating sustainable, affordable, and high-quality homes that will benefit the community for years to come.
- The new development in Armley, Leeds, provides 50 energy-efficient homes (27 houses and 23 apartments) for affordable and social rent.
- The project is located on the former Tower Works factory site, revitalizing a previously vacant and derelict area.
- Leeds City Council supported the development with a £750,000 affordable housing grant.
- All homes prioritize residents on the council’s housing register, ensuring access for those most in need.
- Each home is built to high energy efficiency standards, featuring solar panels and smart hot water tanks to reduce costs and carbon footprints.