Building work is gathering pace on a £12 million Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) project, the largest affordable homes scheme since its foundation in 1953.
Twenty-two properties have been demolished on the site at Queenshill Avenue, Moortown to make way for two new housing blocks, comprised of 85 one and two-bed apartments, more than 50 of which will be sheltered accommodation for older residents.
Roof mounted solar panels are expected to provide ten percent of the buildings’ electricity, whilst increased insulation within each property will promote energy efficiency.
The new development – which is being delivered in partnership with government agency Homes England – will be connected to other accommodation owned by LJHA to create one large sheltered village off Stonegate Road.
Representatives from LJHA, Leeds Jewish Representative Council (LJRC) and Leeds City Council joined a future tenant to review progress on the scheme which is due for completion by the end of 2021.
Mark Grandfield, LJHA Chief Executive, said: “We are truly excited about this project. This isn’t your normal housing newbuild scheme, LJHA have been providing homes for the Jewish community on this site for over 60 years and as such, we’ve already made a tremendous emotional investment in the area. Having the chance now to reshape the housing provision for another 60 years to come and be able to house more of our community is great news.”
Craig Simons, LJHA Director of Operations, said: “We fully appreciate that there has been significant local disruption, not least to the 22 LJHA tenants whose homes have been knocked down to create the space for the new development. Amid the many challenges the Covid-19 outbreak has thrown up in 2020, we all have something hugely exciting to look forward to in 2021 when the project is delivered.”
Jayne Wynick, LJHA Chair said: “It is wonderful to see the site cleared and building work on the new properties getting fully underway. Adding 85 low rent properties to our current portfolio of around 500 is the biggest investment made in Leeds Jewish Housing Association’s long and proud history.”
