Leeds housebuilding success shows way forward for rest of country

A total of 4,441 homes were built in the city during the 12 months to the end of March, Leeds’s highest level of delivery since the early 1980s and 35 per cent above the local target rate for the year.

More than 650 of these homes were classed as affordable, meaning they are available for rent at below market value or can be bought via a shared ownership arrangement.

And, in an illustration of Leeds City Council’s proactive approach to tackling the local effects of the national housing crisis, the authority delivered around 40 per cent of the affordable homes itself.  Other schemes were brought forward thanks to partnership working between the council and housing associations.

The achievements in 2023/24 were no flash in the pan, with a greater number of affordable homes being built in Leeds over the last five years than in any other large city in the country outside London. The proportion of these homes that are available for social rent – the most affordable tenure – is also above the national average.

In addition, Leeds has been in the top four local authority areas in the country for the delivery of housing – affordable or otherwise – in each of the last five years.

During that same period, the city has been responsible for around 1.5 per cent of all new homes in England.

If Leeds’s record was replicated nationwide, the result would be 300,000 new homes each year – a figure that would put the country within sight of the 370,000 annual target for housebuilding announced last week by central government.

Affordable housing schemes completed recently by the council include a development in Middleton that comprises Gascoigne House – a 60-apartment extra care facility – as well as 100 family homes and 16 wheelchair-accessible bungalows.

Work has also begun this year on 88 new homes in Seacroft and the Ambertons area of Gipton which will be made available as council housing at affordable rents.

The council’s housing association partners, meanwhile, have a delivery programme that includes 152 homes at Calverley Lane in Horsforth and 146 homes at Breary Lane in Bramhope, with these schemes being developed by Stonewater and Yorkshire Housing respectively.

More than 1,000 affordable homes are also being developed in the city centre over the next five years by housing associations such as Guinness, WDH, Clarion, 54North and L&G Affordable Homes.

Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said:

"It is really pleasing to see such impressive housing development activity in the city. This is the result of strong investment from the private sector and excellent collaborative work by the council, housing associations and the third sector.

“Together we are using every tool at our disposal to deliver affordable homes for those households and families most in need.

“Despite these efforts, however, we still face significant challenges caused by ongoing increases in demand.

“It is essential, therefore, that we maintain our current momentum to ensure we provide the necessary supply, choice and quality of homes in the right locations as part of our continued regeneration and growth.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

"The delivery of new homes is essential to the growth of our economy, particularly at a time when the population of Leeds has been rising faster than the national average.

“As well as ensuring that we meet the needs of all our communities, we should see housing as critical infrastructure that helps us create new jobs and supports our key sectors in driving the city forward.

“It is equally important that our growth is locally-led, with our Leeds Local Plan identifying the most sustainable locations and sites for development.

“We are committed to ensuring a strong local voice as we prepare an update to the Leeds Local Plan and a further review that will set the course for the next phase of housing growth up to 2040.”

Andy Wallhead, chair of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, said:

“Delivering affordable, high-quality homes is a key priority for the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership and these figures show what can be achieved by working closely together.

“We’ve developed a close working relationship with Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and we’re delighted that more homes have been built over the last 12 months than at any other time since the early 1980s – including hundreds of affordable homes.

“We look forward to building on the momentum achieved and delivering even more of the homes that local people and local communities need.”

Notes to editors:

The 4,441 figure for new homes in Leeds in 2023/24 covers all types of housing and all developers, including the council.

When affordable housing is made available for rent, potential tenures include ‘affordable’ and ‘social’. Affordable rents are discounted – by at least 20 per cent – from the prevailing local market rate. Social rents are lower than affordable rents.

For further information about the Leeds Local Plan, click here.

The West Yorkshire Housing Partnership comprises 15 members (13 housing associations and two local authorities, one of which is Leeds City Council). The partnership collectively owns or manages 180,000 homes in West Yorkshire and provides a focus for social housing related ambition, policy and collaboration across the region.

ENDS