Senior councillors to discuss housing site allocations proposals

The next stage of the proposals to identify locations for future housing developments to create 66,000 new homes in Leeds will take place next week.



The council’s executive board will discuss the proposals at its meeting at Civic Hall on Wednesday 11 February, with approval expected to be given for planning officers to draw up full formal proposals for public consultation later in the year.



The plans around housing growth in the Leeds district up to 2028 form part of the Site Allocations Plan and the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan, which will sit within the new Core Strategy which underpins all future development in the city.



As well as housing, the site allocation proposals also identify areas of potential employment, retail and green space growth across Leeds.



Both elements were discussed by the council’s development plan panel at a meeting in December and two further meetings last month, with their recommendations now to be discussed by senior councillors at the executive board.



Leeds City Council executive member for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel Councillor Peter Gruen said:



“The development plan panel meetings were very valuable in gathering views and feedback on the proposals and now the next step of the process is for the executive board to look at the plans and approve officers formally creating the proposals for public consultation later in the year.



“A lot has been said about these proposals with significant interest in the housing elements especially, but it is important these plans are seen in their entirety with the aim of providing a strong economic future for Leeds as a city, its residents and its communities.



“Among the key principles in bringing the plans together were: building on brownfield sites first, bringing empty homes back into use, providing a significant proportion of affordable new housing, respecting community identities, protecting green space and supporting economic growth and regeneration.”



In total, 763 sites have been identified to provide 66,000 new homes across all 11 geographical housing areas of the city, with every area being allocated at least three per cent of the new homes total.



The homes would be provided in a phased and co-ordinated way, with key developments linked to associated infrastructure such as transport, school places and health services.



Of the proposed sites, the net overall percentage split would see 62 per cent of developments on brownfield land. Leeds City Council is also looking to reclassify an area of rural land in the north east of the city as green belt, which will provide a significant total green belt increase.



To see the site allocation report go to http://bit.ly/1vqrMsE



ENDS



For media enquiries please contact:

Roger Boyde,

Leeds City Council press office,

Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk