The Beeston Hill and Holbeck housing regeneration scheme has completed its capital works and held a celebration event at Bismarck Way on Wednesday {22 March 2017).
Speeches were kept to a minimum given the inclement weather, but Simon Costigan from Housing Leeds spoke about the commitment of local councillors to ensuring that “real changes were made to the environment and to the lives of the people who live here.”
Colin Rossiter from Keepmoat stressed the excellent partnership between Leeds City Council and Keepmoat and stressed the company’s ongoing commitment to the community over the remaining 17 years of the property maintenance contract.
Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“The emphasis on quality and attention to detail shows our commitment to do right by people in our communities. The homes incorporate energy efficiency measures that will save the tenants over £300 per year in bills.”
Freda Bates, a member of the Community Advisory Group, was present but did not speak. She explained that the group had started ten years ago and given up many evenings and weekends to scrutinise the plans and quiz the developers and she was happy to see the homes finally completed.
Representing the City & Hunslet Councillors, Cllr Elizabeth Nash explained to South Leeds Life that she was pleased their voice had been heard in building more family housing and retaining the historic street names.
Cllr Blake went on to plant a silver birch tree, whilst the choir from New Bewerley Community School sang with staff from In Harmony Opera North (see video).
The scheme has seen 275 new council houses built and 373 homes refurbished. The work was carried out by sc4l with Keepmoat the main contractor and completed, on schedule, in just three years. Planning the project and bidding to government for the PFI funds started ten years ago in 2007.
Keepmoat won a Child Friendly Leeds Award alongside Construction Housing Yorkshire earlier this year for their overall contribution to Child Friendly Leeds.
