Press release:

Leeds Federated Housing Association hosted two events to bring together residents with councillors and stakeholders, to acknowledge completion of the first ten homes at its latest affordable housing development in Oulton.

The regeneration of the homes at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive is partially funded through Homes England’s Strategic Partnership with Accent Housing, as part of the government’s Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021-26. The homes are being delivered in partnership with Yorkshire-based contractor Termrim Construction, when complete the scheme will comprise 70 quality homes.

Leeds Federated purchased the regeneration site in 2022 from a private developer. The existing Airey homes were built by the National Coal Board as temporary housing to meet post-war demand.

The first ten homes have been completed which now house the remaining Regulated/Assured tenants that were living in Airey homes when the site was purchased. Allocation of these first homes completed on the new estate meets Leeds Federated’s obligations to those residents that had a protected right to remain living at Sugar Hill.

The homes have energy saving measures in place to minimise energy costs for residents, such as the installation of solar panels. The homes are being built to high energy efficiency standards and will all achieve a minimum EPC-B rating, with several of the homes that have so far been handed over holding an EPC-A rating.

A £2.8m grant from Leeds City Council has enabled Leeds Federated to increase the number of affordable rented homes being made available through the scheme. The first of the resident events took place on 9th December, where local choir, Let’s Sing 26, came to the development to sing festive carols, along with a coffee van that provided Christmas inspired drinks and cakes.

A moving in celebration was also organised for the 12th December, which was attended by the residents, councillors from Leeds City Council and key stakeholders from Leeds Federated.

Mark Donnachie, Director of Assets & Development at Leeds Federated, said:

“Leeds Federated are delighted that the first phase of the redevelopment at the Sugar Hill estate has been completed and the existing residents are now moved into their fantastic new homes. It has been great to celebrate this significant achievement with the recent events on site bringing together residents and other key stakeholders. This development is supported by funding from Homes England and Leeds City Council and is the result of great partnership working and a common vision; to ensure the best outcome for the residents and see the neighbourhood and community here regenerated.”

Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said:

“We are committed to working with partners to deliver the kind of good-quality, affordable and energy-efficient housing that transforms lives and communities.

“The ongoing regeneration of Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive shows the results that can be achieved through this joined-up approach, and it’s great that the first new homes there have been completed and that residents are settling in nicely.

“I’m delighted that the council, by providing grant support to the scheme, has helped ensure that a community with a really proud history is now set for a very bright future.

“I look forward to following the further progress of the project in 2025 and seeing the positive impact I’m sure it will have, not just on Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive but also on the area as a whole.”

Irene Connell, a resident of Sugar Hill Close said:

“I’ve been on this estate all my life and we’ve all been really good friends; everyone loves living here. It’s been good to make the move all together, with people you know and get along with. I’ve been really happy with how Leeds Federated and Termrim have handled things for us”.

The remainder of the new homes are expected to be completed in 2026. To stay updated about the scheme and to find out more, visit our micro-site.