Leeds decision-makers agree to invest £50m into 358 new council homes

Plans to build 358 new houses across the city were put to decision-makers yesterday (Nov 21) following a relaxing of government rules on borrowing to fund housebuilding.

The authority hopes to have the homes finished by 2021, and claims it is already looking at future sites to build further social housing.

Members of the authority’s executive board yesterday voted through the paper, and welcomed the Government’s decision to allow authorities to borrow more money to build new council houses.

Coun Andrew Carter (Con) said: “It is something that we lobbied for and when the chancellor visited Leeds last year we were able to discuss that the cap should be lifted.

“He was as good as his word and we got what we wanted, so I welcome it.”

Deputy council leader Debra Coupar (Lab) said: “What you see as a traditional council estate isn’t a council estate anymore.

“Because of right to buy, there are private houses in those estates.”

It follows recent news that the Government has lifted limits on the amounts councils could borrow from its housing revenue account (HRA) to help fund the building of homes in areas of high need.

The total cost of the scheme is expected to be £54.8m.