Latimer completes purchase of a major regeneration site in Leeds
Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, has purchased a site with planning consent for more than 1,000 homes.
Latimer, Clarion Housing Group’s development arm, has completed the purchase of a major new residential site on Kirkstall Road to the west of Leeds city centre.
The site, which was formerly known as City Reach, comprises 13 acres of brownfield land between the River Aire and Kirkstall Road.
The site has existing planning consent for more than 1,000 homes alongside student accommodation, but Latimer has commenced a redesign to deliver a residential-led mixed-use scheme.
The ambition is to create a thriving community alongside retail units, space for creative industries and leisure facilities, providing employment opportunities for local people. A cultural centre and facilities for local artists will be designed as part of the future plans, along with high quality public realm and improved access to the waterfront and across the River Aire to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Sustainable development
Sustainability will be at the heart of the development in both the design and energy use of the buildings and the materials used in the public realm.
A focus on sustainable transport provision along with improved connectivity to the city centre will be a key element of the new vision for the development. Designs for the residential units will support home working and reflect the need for good quality public and private outside space.
As part of the plan, the intent is that the new scheme will deliver up to 35 per cent of homes for affordable tenures. The overall investment in the scheme by Latimer will be more than £200m.
“We want to deliver a high quality, mixed and sustainable community which sets a new benchmark for the provision of affordable homes in Leeds.”
Richard Cook, group director of development for Latimer
Work on site is expected to begin in early 2021 with site remediation and submission of a revised planning permission.
Richard Cook, group director of development for Latimer, said:
“Our vision is to give a new lease of life to the site, kick-starting a residential-led mixed-use regeneration along the River Aire and Kirkstall Road which has been a vison for the City of Leeds for more than ten years."
“We want to deliver a high quality, mixed and sustainable community which sets a new benchmark for the provision of affordable homes in Leeds, with private outside space for residents alongside public open spaces, employment opportunities and car-free access into the city centre."
“In addition to homes for private sale, this development will deliver much-needed affordable rent and shared ownership homes, enabling more people to benefit from all that the city has to offer."
“We welcome the opportunity to engage with both the City of Leeds and the wider community to bring forward this scheme of significant importance.”
New community in Leeds
Councillor Debra Coupar, executive member for communities at Leeds City Council, said:
“This is an exciting opportunity to create a new community in the heart of Leeds, alongside the delivery of much needed affordable housing. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Clarion Housing Group to make this ambition a reality for our city.”
Latimer aims to help tackle the housing crisis by building high quality homes and creating sustainable and thriving communities. The profits from Latimer schemes are reinvested into Clarion Housing Group to build more affordable homes, improve and maintain existing homes and support communities through the Group’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures.