Major Leeds regeneration plans to be discussed

A ten-year plan to regenerate six areas of Leeds through a partnership between the council, national, regional and local government is set to be discussed later today.The Leeds Transformational Regeneration Partnership is a ten-year programme of change and investment involving the council, central government, Homes England and the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.It outlines plans to regenerate part of the city centre and five adjoining ‘city rim’ neighbourhoods, as well as how growth in the city centre will be accelerated to meet the ambitions of the council’s 2023 Inclusive Growth Strategy.The partnership is underpinned by the ‘Vision for Leeds’, which was announced by the government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities last week (6 March) following the Spring Budget.Plans include revitalising Mabgate, Eastside and Hunslet Riverside, South Bank, Holbeck, West End Riverside and the Innovation Arc within the city centre, to support the development of 20,000 new homes.The Government is set to allocate an additional £10m (subject to a business case) towards the establishment of British Library North at Temple Works, along with working to bring the building into public ownership through Homes England. New funding of £5m (subject to a business case) will also go towards a new National Poetry Centre.Further work will be undertaken to explore and develop the role of the Royal Armouries Museum, including new conferencing and exhibition facilities.A report on the partnership and Vision for Leeds will be presented to the council’s executive board on Wednesday 13 March, outlining more details about its aims over the coming decade.Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Working directly with government and driven by our Vision for Leeds and our commitment to inclusive growth, the partnership will act as a positive driver to tackle poverty and inequality, accelerate housing delivery, and provide more opportunities for everyone who calls Leeds home.”Looking to the future there is shared recognition among the partners that major improvements can be won through a focus on some of the fundamental structural challenges facing the city. These changes include improving growth, creating choice and affordability in the housing market, improving public transport connectivity and integration, and leveraging our core economic, innovation and cultural assets. These are the challenges the partnership hopes to address throughout the programme.”Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Working in partnership, these plans will help us deliver on our promise of more affordable homes, vibrant and creative communities, quick and reliable public transport, and greater opportunities for our businesses and universities to succeed.”As our largest urban and economic centre – at the heart of Yorkshire, the North of England and the United Kingdom – the success of Leeds will help us build a brighter region and a brighter Britain for all.”