Caption: (from left) Councillor Andrew Carter, local resident Alwyne Halls, Accent Homes' director of development and asset manager Stuart Whyte and resident Sue Holmes outside the new bungalows on Chaucer Gardens.
The people of Pudsey got their first chance to look around a new development of affordable housing in west Leeds.
Leeds City Council unveiled the homes for older people at Chaucer Gardens in Pudsey – the first scheme to completed under the city’s Strategic Affordable Housing Partnership.
The scheme at Chaucer Gardens comprises six two-bedroom bungalows for shared ownership and 10 two-bedroom social rented apartments. The scheme is intended for people age 55 and over.
The partnership was established to make use of council-owned land and attract public funding so that more affordable housing can be built. For the first phase of schemes, Accent Housing Association was appointed as the council’s development partner and they are currently working on seven sites across the city.
Working in partnership with Accent, a Local Allocations Plan has been developed to provide suitable nominations. This will increase the chances of a more balanced and sustainable community. Preference will also be given to people from the Pudsey area.
The council has been working very closely with Accent to offer local apprentices work on all the new affordable housing development sites across the city. Accent contractors Lovells ensure a minimum of 10% of the total workforce for each site is made up of local residents. Another requirement is that a minimum of two local residents shall be trainees.
Lovell has been working closely with the trainees to ensure they undertake a programme of training leading to a recognised qualification. This approach ensures that local people are given the opportunity to work on the new developments as well as learn new skills and trades.
Councillor Andrew Carter, leader of Leeds City Council and executive board member for affordable housing, said:
“This was a great opportunity for us to have a look at these new homes.
“These properties have been provided through our Strategic Affordable Housing Partnership, using plots of council-owned brownfield land across the city to provide affordable homes for local people.
“I’m delighted that Chaucer Gardens is the first site to come to fruition through the partnership, with many more to come – proving that we are finding alternative and innovative ways to create more affordable housing in the city.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council (0113) 224 3937
e-mail: michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk
