Work Completes on New Homes in Leeds

Work has completed on an innovative new homes development in Leeds. The development has been built for people who are in uncertain housing situations, making it the first of its kind in the city.

Developed by St George’s Crypt, a longstanding homeless charity, and designed by Brewster Bye Architects, the development consists of 24 one- and two-bedroom apartments at Hedley Chase.

Don Robins house has been developed in partnership with Leeds City Council, which provided low-cost loan facilities as well as financing 30% of the capital costs through its Right to Buy Replacement Programme. Property industry charity LandAid, which works to end youth homelessness in the UK, also provided a £75,000 grant for the development.

Vistry Partnerships Yorkshire was principal contractor, and the development will officially open and welcome the first residents next month. Seven of the apartments have been specially adapted for disabled residents with two of the homes being allocated to those aged under 25.

Nathan Wilkinson, a director at Brewster Bye Architects, which has supported St George’s Crypt for more than 20 years, said: “Financing and delivering this development was no mean feat but the support that we’ve received from the city’s property industry has been phenomenal. To now see the finished development is a major triumph for everyone involved.

“It looks spectacular and will be genuinely life-changing for people in Leeds. We’re now working with St George’s Crypt to identify other potential sites in and around the city that offer the potential to create similar schemes.”

Chris Fields, CEO at St George’s Crypt, said: “We’re elated to complete work at Don Robins House. It’s amazing to think that since our inception 90 years ago, we’ve gone from offering a kitchen and shelter to those in need in the Crypt beneath St George’s Church in Leeds, to providing purpose-built new homes to people.

“As well as living at Don Robins House for two years, residents will benefit from support and guidance via the development’s training room, where they will develop the confidence and ability to live independently and return to work, which will make living here a unique opportunity.”

Don Robins House is St George’s Crypt’s second purpose-built development following the completion of Regent Lodge in Hyde Park near Headingley in 2019, also designed by Brewster Bye.

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