Developer HUB and specialist sustainable and impact investor, Bridges Fund Management receive planning approval from Leeds City Council for a significant residential-led regeneration scheme. Named Latitude Blue, the new development will include circa 485 Build to Rent homes and will occupy the second of two adjacent brownfield sites acquired by HUB and Bridges in 2021. Planning was submitted in October 2021.
Located on Whitehall Road, the development was previously the site of the Doncaster Monkbridge Iron and Steelworks – dating back to 1846. Construction started in autumn 2021 on Latitude Purple, HUB’s first Leeds development which will deliver 463 homes. Latitude Purple was forwarded funded by Canadian real estate investment company Realstar and is set for completion in 2024. Together with the newly consented Latitude Blue scheme, this brings the total number of homes that HUB is delivering across both sites to circa 950.
Latitude Blue sits at the heart of an emerging mixed-use neighbourhood. The scheme has been designed by Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher (CJCT); a Leeds based architecture company. The development comprises two residential blocks of 25 and 30 storeys.
The scheme will provide ground floor amenity space designed to bring the community together. HUB and Bridges have consulted closely with local people on their priorities for these spaces, which will house a variety of cafes and workspace. The scheme will also deliver significant levels of affordable rental housing in line with local policy.
“We are thrilled that Leeds City Council has approved our plans for Latitude Blue, which are the result of close collaboration with the local community. We hope to start on site later this year, and look forward to delivering a scheme that contributes positively to the local area, as well as providing a fantastic place to live. HUB and Bridges have a strong track record of delivering beautifully-designed homes in the UK’s best locations, and we are excited to bring this experience to our second scheme in Leeds.”
Victoria Manston, Senior Development Manager, HUB
The development is under a ten minute walk to Leeds railway station, which provides access to both regional and national routes. Latitude Blue is directly adjacent to Wellington Place, Leeds’s largest new office development. The scheme is on the western edge of the city centre, where a flourishing business community includes the new Channel 4 HQ, which moved to the city last year (2021).
Latitude Blue continues HUB and Bridges’ focus on delivering homes in well-connected locations. The scheme was developed in close collaboration with the local community, ensuring that the development will serve both its residents and neighbours. The community cited new public realm as a top priority, and the plans for the site involve extensive landscaping designed to make the best of nearby features – including the canal frontage and listed viaduct which is currently being transformed into a new elevated landscaped public park.
Considering sustainability, proposals also include an efficient energy strategy, low levels of car parking, extensive cycle facilities, and soft landscaped areas that promote biodiversity.
“We believe our Latitude development will make a significant contribution to the local community in this area of Leeds, both by improving the provision of high-quality, highly sustainable lower-cost homes, and by creating attractive new indoor and outdoor spaces for local people to enjoy. We’re grateful to Leeds City Council for approving the scheme, and we’re excited to get started.”
Simon Ringer, Head of Property, Bridges Fund Management
