City sees four-decade record on new homes

Leeds City Council said the city delivered 1.5% of all new homes in England

Almost 4,500 new homes were built in Leeds in the last financial year - which is believed to be the most for four decades, according to the city council.

The city and surrounding area saw the creation of 4,441 homes in the year to the end of March 2024.

More than 650 of these were considered to be affordable, the council also said, which meant the rent or cost to buy was 20% below the market rate.

However, a spokesperson said despite these efforts, the authority still faced "significant housing challenges" caused by increased demand.

The Labour government recently announced plans to build 1.5 million more homes in the next five years, helped by planning reforms, the release of green belt land and the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local authorities.

Leeds City Council said over the past year, construction in the city meant it had provided 1.5% of all new homes in England.

However, the population of Leeds was rising faster than the national average, the council added, so it was "essential" momentum continued to "provide the necessary supply, choice and quality of homes in the right locations".

Jonathan Pryor, the council's deputy leader, cited the creation of homes across the area - not just in the city centre - as helping to reach the total.

Demand is high in the area as Leeds' population is rising quicker than the national average

"It is equally important that our growth is locally-led, with our Leeds Local Plan identifying the most sustainable locations and sites for development," he added.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin recently launched the West Yorkshire Housing Strategy 2040, which aimed to "deliver a new dawn for housebuilding" across county.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said the county's five local authorities would deliver across four core missions – boosting housing supply, building affordable homes, improving existing homes and creating vibrant communities.

It said the strategy would aim to create at least 38,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

The WYCA said there were about 85,000 people currently on waiting lists for a council home across the region.

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