Construction is set to begin on a major affordable housing project in north Leeds that will deliver 28 new homes to the Queenshill estate.
The development is the second phase of a two-part regeneration project led by the Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA), which aims to replace outdated properties with a mix of modern housing. The project is particularly focused on providing additional supported accommodation for older members of the local community, as well as more family homes.
The first phase, completed in 2022, saw the construction of 85 new homes, including 51 sheltered housing apartments for individuals aged 55 and over, and 34 general needs apartments. The development was recognised with the prestigious Best Housing Development award at the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Awards 2023.
Phase two, which has now received backing from Homes England, will provide 28 new homes, consisting of 14 two-bedroom properties, 12 three-bedroom homes, a one-bedroom house, and a two-bedroom apartment. The new homes are designed to replace 40 outdated flats on the estate, offering increased living space and improved accommodation options for the local community. This phase is scheduled for completion by spring 2026.
LJHA has appointed Jack Lunn Limited as the design and build contractor for the second phase of the project.
In preparation for the development, families in the area began vacating their homes in anticipation of the site clearance. During this period, LJHA worked with Leeds City Council to explore temporary accommodation options for the displaced residents. This partnership led to a collaboration with local homeless charity Turning Lives Around, which provided 90 families with emergency accommodation on short-term lets.
Mark Grandfield, Chief Executive of LJHA, expressed excitement about the start of phase two, stating: “We are thrilled to begin the second phase of our regeneration masterplan, which will replace 52 outdated homes with 113 new, high-quality properties. This is a significant step in delivering improved living conditions for families in the Queenshill estate.”
He continued, “Phase two will replace 40 flats with 28 new homes, resulting in a substantial increase in bed spaces from 56 to 121, providing more spacious and modern accommodation for local residents.”
Craig Simons, Director of Operations at LJHA, highlighted the importance of community engagement throughout the process. “The feedback from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “We’ve held numerous consultations, from small roundtable discussions to larger drop-in sessions, and residents are excited to see these outdated flats replaced with modern family housing.”
Jonathan Shaw, Chair of the LJHA Board, added: “We are proud to give the development the green light and extend our thanks to Leeds City Council, Homes England, and the generous local community members who have helped make this project a reality.”
He concluded: “Most importantly, we are grateful to our residents. All previous occupants of the flats who wanted to be rehoused by LJHA have now been settled into new homes. We’re excited to see this final phase come to life and deliver a bright future for the Queenshill estate.”
The new development is part of a broader effort to regenerate the area, providing high-quality homes for local residents while enhancing the wider community.