The multimillion-POUND regeneration of a Leeds housing estate is finally set to go ahead after six years of negotiations.

Consortium Yorkshire Transformations will redevelop the Swarcliffe estate over the next 30 years. Work is due to kick off in July this year.

About 1650 council homes are expected to benefit from full improvements and modernisation, as well as repairs and maintenance for the period of the contract.

The scheme will also include the building of new homes, including affordable homes to rent and some for private sale.

It is one of only eight private finance initiative housing schemes in the country. Swarcliffe was selected for the investment programme in November 1999.

In January last year it emerged that Yorkshire Housing Group, part of Yorkshire Transformations, felt negotiations with the council over contract terms were in danger of stalling before a hoped-for exchange of contracts in March 2004. The fears proved well-founded, with talks continuing until January this year.

Wrangling over the cost of the project continued until the deal was signed on Friday. The final price of the scheme is believed to be in the region of £200m.

Les Carter, Leeds council’s executive board member responsible for housing, said: “This scheme will do so much more than breathe new life into the estate – it will totally transform the area.”

Source

Housing Today