Leeds City Council has reached a major milestone in its mission to deliver high-quality affordable housing, as the first tenants move into newly completed homes in Gipton’s Ambertons area.
The development, part of the Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP), will provide 55 new council houses and bungalows across brownfield sites on Amberton Terrace, Amberton Crescent, Amberton Street, and Montagu Avenue. Built by Wates Construction, the scheme is due for full completion by the end of the year.
The homes—available for affordable rent—include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses and one-bedroom bungalows, designed to meet growing demand for family housing in the area. Energy efficiency is central to the build, with air source heat pumps replacing traditional gas boilers, supporting the council’s net zero ambitions.
All properties feature level access, with the option to install mobility-friendly adaptations such as through-floor lifts, ensuring inclusive living for residents with additional needs.
The development is also delivering wider benefits for the local community:
- Tennis facilities in nearby Harehills Park have been upgraded
- Green space enhancements on Amberton Road and Lawrence Road include new footpaths, seating, and landscaping
- A play area upgrade behind the Henry Barran Centre is set to begin next month
- Highway improvements are underway on Amberton Terrace and Montagu Avenue
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said:
“The handover of these properties is a really important milestone and highlights the positive difference that our Council Housing Growth Programme is making to communities in Leeds.
“We know that, despite the programme’s achievements, there is still a pressing need for good-quality affordable homes in many parts of the city, including Gipton.
“The Ambertons scheme – and others like it – will help address that need, providing the sort of safe, warm and welcoming housing that can transform lives.
“I’m also delighted that the scheme is benefiting the wider community, with improvements to local roads and green space complementing the engagement work that has been done by Wates.
“It’s this kind of collaborative approach – coupled with our determination to ensure that Leeds is the best place in the country to call home – that has helped make the Council Housing Growth Programme such a success.”
Since 2018, Leeds City Council has built over 350 new homes and acquired more than 450 properties through the CHGP, helping to ease affordable housing pressures and support inclusive neighbourhood growth.
Image credit: Leeds City Council
