Leeds City Council’s exciting plans for the regeneration of Holbeck have been allocated more than £15 million, as part of the latest round of investment from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The ‘Heart of Holbeck’ plans will deliver transformative change through the renewal of the local high street, transformation of the local community centre and the delivery of improvements to traditional terraced homes.
A key strand of the £15.9 million investment is support to local charity Holbeck Together through improvements to St Matthew’s Community Centre where it currently delivers its vital services, and an expansion into the adjoining Old Box Office in partnership with current owner, Leeds Building Society. The regeneration of both sites is set to enable a wide range of new services to be offered, including a gym, cafe, social supermarket, and space for local microbusinesses.
There will also be significant investment into the public realm and local environment, uplifting the look, feel, safety and accessibility of public spaces across central Holbeck. This includes significant investment into local retail centre, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure and renewal of the main community park, Holbeck Moor.
The investment will also help improve housing conditions for around 200 back-to-back homes, addressing their insulation, safety and external appearance, securing financial contributions from landlords to upgrade some of worst private sector housing conditions in Leeds.
Leeds City Council and Holbeck Together will now work with government on a validation process to confirm the funding award.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for sustainable development & infrastructure, said:
“This is fantastic news, which will allow the council to work closely with the local community to deliver transformative change across Holbeck, regenerating the neighbourhood, delivering 21st century infrastructure and supporting the delivery of services that are really needed there.
“There is still work to be done before we can put spades in the ground, but we are committed to working with the government and Holbeck Together to successfully deliver the Heart of Holbeck project.”
Elissa Newman, Chief officer at Holbeck Together, said:
“This is such brilliant news for Holbeck and a real testament to great partnership work between the council and Third Sector. We were so disappointed when our original funding bid was not approved earlier this year, but we have continued to develop our project with business parties across the city and this announcement comes at the perfect time to allow us to plan for further growth in our offer to the community and to improve vital local facilities. This is a game changer for the future of Holbeck.”
Local ward Councillor Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) added:
“We were so disappointed when the Heart of Holbeck project was rejected for Levelling Up funding earlier this year and so news that it may now be able to go ahead is very welcome.
“It sounds as though there are a few more hoops to jump through but we are hopeful that, working with the community and partners, we will see the investment needed in Holbeck come forward and we look forward to seeing anticipated improvements the funding would bring, in terms of health, quality of life and the economic benefits for local residents and businesses.”
This post is based on press releases issued by Leeds City Council and Beeston & Holbeck Ward Councillors
Photo: St Matthew’s Community Centre. Credit Jeremy Morton
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