Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, has been given the green light to transform the vacant 13-acre riverside plot on Kirkstall Road.

Work will begin this summer, with an expected completion date of 2029. The build is expected to create around 270 site jobs during each year.

It is the latest of several schemes for the city’s Kirkstall Corridor site on the banks of the River Aire in Leeds and comes just days after Manchester developer Glenbrook submitted detailed plans for a 618-apartment build to rent scheme on the ribbon site.

Latimer acquired its part of the site in 2020 and will provide a total of 503 affordable homes– representing over a third of all the new homes built and far exceeding the minimum requirements set in the city.

The wider Kirkstall Road scheme will provide one, two and three-bedroom apartments set across 11 blocks ranging from eight to 17 storeys in height.

There will also be 13 three-bedroom townhouses with private gardens and a dedicated new student accommodation block – featuring 355 rooms for those studying at one of the city’s four universities.

The homes will feature photovoltaic solar panels and will not use fossil fuels.

Latimer’s masterplan – designed by architects Broadway Malyan – will deliver a brand-new riverside park, a river crossing and a range of creative and commercial areas to host art, cafes, a food hall, independent shops and public workspaces.

Richard Cook, Group Development Director at Clarion Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to get the green light to transform a key strategic site for Leeds which has remained undeveloped for more than 30 years. Our project will kickstart development on the Kirkstall Road corridor, creating an exemplar and sustainable mixed-use community for the city.

“We want this development to set the benchmark for new housing in Leeds, including a substantial number of affordable homes for those who need them most.”