Member Article

Homeless Will Benefit From Leeds Company's Plans

St George’s Crypt Development Company – on behalf of St George’s Crypt -has secured planning permission to build two new affordable homes schemes that will mark a decisive change in how homes are created for people in housing need in the City of Leeds.

The plans will see 23, one and two bedroom, apartments built on Hedley Chase in New Wortley, on the site of the Old Liberal Club, which was demolished more than 10 years ago. The properties will offer affordable homes, the chance of support through St George’s Crypt, onsite facilities for assisting residents back into work and will specifically give those in most need of housing, an alternative to what is currently available in the private rented sector.

In addition, an existing building on Regent Terrace in Hyde Park, which is already owned by St George’s Crypt, will be demolished and replaced with a modern scheme consisting of 14 apartments.

Both developments have been designed by Brewster Bye Architects and will be developed in partnership with Leeds City Council, which will finance 30% of the capital costs through its Right to Buy Replacement Programme.

The board of St George’s Crypt Development Company includes several well-known Leeds based property specialists and was launched in 2015 to provide homes and community facilities for homeless and disadvantaged people throughout Leeds. The company’s directors include Mark Henderson from Brewster Bye Architects, Jonathan Morgan from city living specialists Morgans, and Joel Owen from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and is chaired by Alison Oldfield, a partner at Eversheds Sutherland solicitors.

Mark Henderson from Brewster Bye Architects says: “Both these schemes are specifically designed to promote independence, whilst having support on hand, as and when it’s required. They will ultimately offer people who have fallen on hard times a hugely valuable stepping stone back towards main stream housing and a pathway towards employability. Importantly, they also have the potential to transform the way that affordable and social housing schemes can be delivered in Leeds, which is a big positive for the city as a whole.”

Martin Patterson from St George’s Crypt, says: “We’re delighted to secure planning permission for these developments, which will be the first projects to be developed through St George’s Crypt Development Company. 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.”

St George’s Crypt is based in the centre of Leeds alongside the thriving church of St George’s in Leeds and has been at the frontline of support for homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Leeds and its surrounding areas since 1930.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steven Wright .