54North Homes completes £5.1m affordable housing scheme in Leeds

By Danny BallPublished On: April 10th, 2026Categories: Top Stories

A 28-home affordable housing development has been completed in the Armley area of Leeds, with 54North Homes delivering the scheme at Wesley Road.

The £5.1 million project comprises 26 houses and two flats, developed on a brownfield site near St Bartholomew’s Church. The scheme has now been handed over by contractor Ashfield Projects (Yorkshire), with initial residents already moving in.

Of the 28 homes, 22 are allocated for social rent and six for shared ownership. Social rent tenancies will be offered to applicants on the local housing register.

The development received £700,000 in funding from Leeds City Council, alongside £2.375 million in grant funding from Homes England through the Karbon Homes Group strategic partnership.

Energy-efficient design and construction

The homes have been designed with a focus on energy performance, incorporating air source heat pumps for heating and hot water. All properties have achieved EPC A ratings and include individual gardens, with the wider scheme retaining existing trees and hedgerows alongside new landscaped areas.

The project marks the first time 54North Homes has delivered a new-build development using air source heat pump technology.

Designs were developed by Brewster Bye Architects, with BWA acting as employer’s agent.

As part of the development, ecological features have been incorporated to support local wildlife. Engagement activity included collaboration with local youth groups and students from Leeds College, who contributed to the creation of wildlife shelters installed across the site.

The scheme forms part of 54North Homes’ wider development programme, following the completion of 152 homes in the previous year.

Industry and stakeholder comment

Zoey Hawthorne, Group Director of Development at the Karbon Group, said: “Wesley Road is our latest sustainable housing development providing high quality energy efficient homes for local people. This is 54North’s first new-build development powered by air source heat pumps, so this is a significant milestone for the organisation.

This is another great example of what can be achieved by working collaboratively with the council, partners and the local community. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers into their new homes.”

Councillor Mary Harland, executive member for housing at Leeds City Council, said: “As a council, we are determined to play our part in ensuring that people living in communities across Leeds can access good quality, energy efficient and affordable housing.

I’m delighted, therefore, that we were able to commit funding support to the delivery of these homes at Wesley Road and the creation of a vibrant new neighbourhood on what was a derelict piece of land. It’s particularly pleasing that so many of the properties will be for social rent and, as such, will give a welcome helping hand to people on lower incomes.”

Joel Ramsden, Director of Ashfield Group, said: “We are extremely proud to have delivered the Wesley Road development for our client, 54North Homes.

“This scheme reflects our commitment to building high-quality, energy-efficient homes, all achieving an EPC A rating, that meet local housing needs while making a positive contribution to the wider community.

Regenerating this brownfield site into 28 sustainable new homes, each fully equipped with the latest technology to ensure they are economical, environmentally friendly and set within thoughtfully designed green spaces, has been a truly rewarding project for our team. We look forward to seeing residents settle into their new homes and to continuing our work across Yorkshire, delivering much-needed affordable housing.”