1,300-hectare Leeds masterplan is all set for approval after a decade of development

An aerial view of Temple Green, a key part of the Aire Valley site. Pic: Aire Valley Land LLP

The Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan (AVLAAP), which covers 1,300 hectares of land to the south east of Leeds city centre - and features prime regeneration sites like the South Bank and Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone - has been in development since 2005.

It has been prepared and refined with the involvement of local communities and businesses, and has gone through three rounds of public consultation,

On Wednesday, the council’s executive board is expected to approve the document before it is presented to the full council and ultimately sent to the government for examination by an independent inspector.

The plan would guide all future development in the area up to 2028, including new housing, job creation, economic development, regeneration, green spaces, schools, community and leisure facilities and improved transport links to connect the area to the city centre and surrounding communities.

It includes more than 400 hectares of mostly previously developed sites, providing up to 7,950 new homes and 250 hectares for future employment use.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “We are delighted that after years of discussion, development and refining this important plan for the Aire Valley is now ready to go before full council and then on to the government for examination.

“The Aire Valley is hugely important for the future economic growth of Leeds and the wider city region, and that has already started to be shown by the businesses and investors flocking to the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone and South Bank Leeds, two key strategic areas with incredible potential for regeneration and growth to create thousands of new jobs and houses as well as being attractive places to learn and visit.

“It is our responsibility as a city to ensure this development is carried out in the right way, connecting people with jobs and with the existing communities nearby, as well as linking the Aire Valley with the rest of Leeds so everyone can benefit from its success. We are confident this plan now meets that ambition.”