New urban village with nearly 2,000 homes step closer for Leeds thanks to £16 million government funding boost

Plans to turn derelict land in the heart of Leeds into a thriving new neighbourhood with almost 2,000 homes have taken a major step forward thanks to a multi-million-pound investment.

Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has announced today that it will provide a £16 million infrastructure grant to Caddick Group to help deliver Leeds South Village, just off Meadow Road.

The funding will help Caddick Group to progress vital infrastructure works at South Village including roads, utilities and significant green space.

Lee Savage, Director at Caddick and project lead for South Village, Leeds, said that the funding marks a “major milestone” in the development project.

He said: “The infrastructure works now getting underway are significant in both scale and complexity and will lay the foundations for the new neighbourhood, delivering essential roads, footpaths and cycleways, and unlocking the site for rapid onward development.

“We’re proud to be working in close partnership with the Government, Homes England, Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to transform this long-derelict site into a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood for the city.”

Meanwhile, Amy Rees CB, Homes England Chief Executive, said that Homes England hopes that through collaboration, Leeds South Village can be regenerated.

She said: “The agency is proud to support meaningful collaboration, powered by new funds, blended interventions and even deeper regional relationships, that mean once redundant spaces can become thriving places to live, work and grow for generations to come.

A total of 1,925 homes are planned to be built in the new project, a proportion of which will be affordable, alongside commercial and significant green spaces.

Leeds South Village is part of the city’s South Bank, a former industrial heartland now at the centre of significant regeneration efforts.

It’s also been announced today that the site will be part of bold new plans to establish a Mayoral Development Zone by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Leader of Leeds City Council Cllr James Lewis.

Subject to approval by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Mayoral Development Zone would cover a broad area across Leeds city centre, acting as a powerful delivery vehicle to unlock up to 20,000 new homes, local jobs, major new public spaces, cultural destinations and commercial developments.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: “Having a safe and secure home is a basic human right that everyone deserves, and this funding will help us support the delivery of thousands of much-needed homes for families.

“Transforming disused land in Leeds South Village to build almost 2,000 new, high‑quality homes will help us deliver record numbers of affordable homes, create new thriving communities, as well as protect vital green spaces.”

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council said: “The momentum we are seeing across the South Bank is clear. Between the ongoing works at Elland Road and now the progress here at South Village, we are transforming this area into a vibrant destination for residents and businesses alike.

“With future milestones at sites like the Royal Armouries still to come, the scale of our ambition is becoming a reality. The progress and speed which we are making this happen is a testament to the power of partnership and the spirit of collaboration that defines our city.”