Plans Submitted for New Council Housing in Seacroft

Leeds City Council seeks permission to build 79 affordable homes on former Kingsdale Court site

Leeds City Council has submitted a planning application for a new council housing development on the site of the former Kingsdale Court flats in the Boggart Hill area of Seacroft. The plans propose 79 affordable homes to replace the demolished flats, aiming to provide improved housing options for local residents.

Details of the proposed development

The application outlines a scheme comprising:

• 20 houses with two or three bedrooms each
• 59 one and two-bedroom apartments within two buildings

The new homes are intended for rent by people on the council’s housing register. The design emphasises a contemporary appearance and generous internal space. Energy efficiency measures include enhanced insulation, ground source heat pumps, and photovoltaic solar panels. The development also plans to incorporate electric vehicle charging infrastructure and bike storage facilities.

Site transformation and landscaping

The development aims to transform the former site, described as an “unsightly blot” on the local landscape, into a well-designed and sustainable neighbourhood. Landscaping plans include planting new trees and ornamental plants. Each house will have a private garden, and communal areas will be created for apartment residents.

Community involvement and local housing needs

The proposed mix of homes reflects the housing needs of the Killingbeck & Seacroft ward, where there is high demand for one and two-bedroom properties. The plans were developed following consultation with local residents and stakeholders. Architectural and design services were provided by NPS Leeds, the council’s joint venture partner.

Background and context

Kingsdale Court, built in the 1960s, had suffered from poor housing conditions, low occupancy, and issues related to crime and anti-social behaviour. The council acquired the site, including 88 privately owned flats, the freehold, and management rights, completing the process in May 2025 after negotiations with around 35 property owners.

Council Housing Growth Programme

If planning permission is granted, the scheme will be delivered through Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP), which has developed or acquired hundreds of homes in recent years. Recent CHGP projects include:

• A 33-home development at Brooklands Avenue, Seacroft
• A 55-home scheme in the Ambertons area of Gipton

Current CHGP projects under construction include the Middlecross development in Armley, providing 65 apartments for affordable rent to people over 55 with care and support needs, and a scheme at Hough Top, Swinnow, near Pudsey, delivering 82 affordable homes.