Leeds charity gets go-ahead for '˜stepping stone' home projects

One of the schemes will see a total of 23 apartments being built on the site of the old Liberal Club on Hedley Chase in New Wortley.

A further 14 apartments will be built following the demolition of a building owned by St George’s Crypt on Regent Terrace in Hyde Park.

It is hoped the homes will provide a stepping stone into the mainstream housing system for people who have fallen on hard times.

Residents will be able to access support from St George’s Crypt while onsite facilities will be available to help them back into work.

Both schemes have been designed by Brewster Bye Architects and are being developed in partnership with Leeds City Council, which will cover 30 per cent of the capital costs through its Right To Buy Replacement Programme.

Planning permission for the projects was secured by the St George’s Crypt Development Company, which was launched in 2015 to provide accommodation and community facilities for homeless and disadvantaged people across Leeds.

Martin Patterson, from St George’s Crypt, said: “Both developments will support people who are committed to improving their lives as they get back on their feet and ultimately prepare them to live independently.

“To be working on these schemes with Leeds City Council and utilising funding from the Right To Buy grant programme, which is designed to provide additional social housing in Leeds, is also a major coup.”

Based on Great George Street in the middle of Leeds, St George’s Crypt was set up in 1930 to help victims of the Great Depression.