Legal News
Government Approve Plans for £180 Million Leeds Transformation Project (26 October 2011)
Date: 26/10/2011
The Government has approved plans to transform two of Leeds’ poorest inner city neighbourhoods, following a lengthy delay caused by the Government’s Value for Money review of the project. The housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project, which is set to cost £180 million, will revitalise the areas of Little London and Beeston Hill/Holbeck. Councillors had lobbied the Government about the delay which, due to rising costs, was believed to have cost an extra £1 million per month. The Treasury has finally approved the scheme however, allowing the council to appoint Sustainable Communities for Leeds (sc4L) to perform the work. Council chiefs are set to work with sc4L to finalise proposals for the project, which will comprise 388 new council properties, the restoration of over 1,200 existing council homes and a number of environmental improvements. In addition, the 20-year PFI contract includes repairs and maintenance for both the new-build and refurbished council homes. If the Government approves the contract early next year, work will be scheduled to commence in spring.
Council leader Keith Wakefield said that it was a huge relief that the Government had given its approval to the investment. Peter Gruen, the council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, described the delays as “incredibly frustrating”. He added that the delays had been very costly and voiced his pleasure at the project now being granted “some certainty”.
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