First phase of £40m PRS development in Leeds launches

Pickard Properties, the home letting specialist, has launched the first phase of a £40m private rented sector (PRS) scheme located on a six-acre site at the at the heart of the Far Headingley Conservation Area.

Spinning Acres, so called in a nod to the area’s textile heritage, is located just three miles to the northwest of Leeds city centre.

The scheme offers renters a urban village setting and a range of appointed residential accommodation.

The first phase of Spinning Acres contains three types of accommodation: The Bobbins and The Spindles, which provide a range of new build four bedroom terraced family homes, built over three storeys; Boll House, which was originally a stable block and is now a two-bedroom detached house with a garden and The Yarn, the largest property in this phase, which is a new build, five-bed detached house.

Designed by architectural practice Halliday Clark, which has been involved from the master planning stage and will be responsible for the design of all subsequent phases, the first phase has been built by Dobson Construction, with Fox Lloyd Jones of Leeds acting as project manager and quantity surveyor.

Miles Pickard, director of Pickard Properties, explained: “This area of Leeds was a fashionable address over 200 years ago, and a prime location for wealthy mill owners who spearheaded the industrial revolution in this part of Yorkshire and built themselves impressive villas set within landscaped grounds.

“The location of Spinning Acres is all part of that earlier building boom and the reason why it is a place of such special character and historic interest.”

Previously forming part of Leeds University’s student accommodation known as Tetley Hall, the six-acre site has been owned by Pickard Properties since 2007.

Surrounded by mature woodland, Spinning Acres provides transport links, electric vehicle charging points, PV solar panels and public open space in keeping with its conservation area status – at the centre of which is a two-acre village green.

Miles added: “Apart from its unique setting and fine build quality, its proximity to the city means that you can start and end each day with an outlook onto mature trees, yet still reach the city centre within 20 minutes. We see Spinning Acres evolving into a thriving new community for Far Headingley.

“We are excited by the completion of phase one and its launch into the rental sector because of its appeal to a wide cross section of private renters. Not only are we turning the rental market on its head by making renting a long-term option with homes that match our occupiers’ aspirations and lifestyles, but in this regard, I believe we are creating the most desirable rental destination in the Leeds area.”

Phase two of the scheme, already under construction, is an apartment building with 31 homes which will be completed by spring 2019. Phase three will be the conversion of existing stone-built villas to create private apartments.

The final stages of the development will see further conversions to existing buildings as well as more new build accommodation to complete this community of homes for those who prefer to rent rather than commit to the cost of a mortgage.

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