'The city is growing': Locals speak on the new 'riverside neighbourhood' that will change this corner of Leeds
Over 2,000 homes are in the process of being built across two developments by Kirkstall Road
The number of developments that have sprung up in Leeds in recent years has been quite astonishing.
Cranes can be seen across the city’s skyline putting together high-rises and housing schemes that look to meet the growing demand for property and redefine the way we live.
One of the key areas currently seeing an overhaul is at the bottom of Kirkstall Road, where some significant developments are currently under construction that will transform the area.
As part of the In Your Corner feature series, in which we are focussing on Leeds communities and what affects them, we visited the area and spoke to locals about their hopes for the transformation.
One of the largest and most significant developments currently under construction is Dyecoats; a new “riverside neighbourhood” which will consist of over 1,800 apartments across 13 residential buildings; including eight high-rises. There will also be public space, retail stores and amenities as part of the scheme.
Councillor for the ward Javaid Akhtar could only welcome the extra housing, saying that the area is in desperate need of more affordable homes for families.
He said: “Every surgery that I hold there’s people asking for housing. We don’t have much stock as a council so any initiative or opportunity which can provide an extra amount we welcome and I’m sure our residents welcome to.”
Emphasising the need for family housing, he said: “Let’s just say that even if we built another 5,000 three or four bedroom houses that would still not cover the city. Especially not this part.
“The city is growing.”
The 13-acre brownfield site, which is being built on what was once a chemical works, will reportedly feature 743 affordable homes and bring together a mix of social housing, shared ownership, and privately-owned apartments.
A statement from the chief development officer at Clarion Housing Group, said that Dyecoats has been designed to “offer the kind of space families need” and to “meet the demand” of the 27,000 people it says on Leeds City Council’s housing list.
There’s also set to be five acres of shared public spaces on the development, which Coun Akhtar said is one of his key drivers for making the ward habitable, especially if families are to move in.
He said: “The last five or six years in particular we have been investing a lot of money in our green spaces.
“A lot of families either live in high-rises or back-to-backs in the area so it is important that we protect our green spaces.”
He said that he hopes that any Section 106 money from the development is invested in the local parks, which is where money from other housing developments has been utilised. He said: “It’s something we’re very proud of.
“We want to keep highlighting the issue to make sure we have space. Especially if families are moving in the area.”
Right next to Dyecoats is another development under construction for 618 apartments across five high buildings being developed by Glenbrook.
Coun Akhtar added that another frequently raised issue for the ward is parking, which could become even more complicated with the additional development. He said: “Whichever direction you go in there’s a parking issue.”
This was flagged by staff at The Highland Laddie pub nearby, with head chef Joe Carrol saying that parking and traffic around the area is a frequent issue brought up with the council.
The award-winning pub can expect more customers when the residential developments become lived in, as they have struggled to attract the student crowd nearby.
Joe said: “We get a few in but if they do usually do its just for one as they make their way to town.”
Business at Archive café has been given a boost as a result of the builders from the development coming in, with supervisor Jake Shaw saying: “The busier this road gets the better it is for us. More footfall means more business.”
He added: “I think for this stretch of road from town to Kirkstall it will be nice to have something in between to make it feel a bit more key.
“It will also be nice to go over the new bridge to the gym instead of going all the way around!”
There is a concern that the apartments may struggle to get filled though, with one business owner saying that one of the recent completed blocks of flats is virtually empty, saying: “We don’t know how it’s going to be but I hope it brings more trade.
“When I look over there I have my fingers crossed.”
Richard Cook, Chief Development officer at Clarion Housing Group said: "Construction at Dyecoats is progressing well, with the first phase well underway on Kirkstall Road. The development will deliver over 1,800 new homes, of which 40 per cent will be affordable, including social rented and shared ownership tenures.
"The scheme has been designed with a range of households firmly in mind. Alongside one and two-bedroom apartments, it includes three-bedroom homes and townhouses, offering the kind of space families need. With over 27,000 people on the city's housing waiting list, Dyecoats is an important part of meeting that demand."