'New town plan would bring South Bank back to life'

The South Bank area of Leeds has long been earmarked as a prime site for urban redevelopment. As land south of the River Aire is shortlisted as one of the government's potential "new towns", people in the city share their hopes for the location.

"It would be amazing to see it come to fruition," says Ros Stringer, founder of Out of the Woods cafe in South Bank.

"We have been promised a lot of things which have then been cancelled, so to actually see it come and have that community and the development would be amazing."

As the government pursues a target to build 1.5m new homes across the country by the next election, Leeds South Bank could see upwards of 10,000 homes.

Stretching from Holbeck to Leeds Dock, South Bank covers the equivalent of 350 football pitches.

The "new town" does not yet have a defined boundary, but it would extend into areas not covered by Aire Park, which has received significant regeneration over a number of years.

According to Leeds City Council, it is likely to include land to the east and west of the main South Bank area, extending along Kirkstall Road towards its junction with Canal Road and wrapping around the eastern edge of the city centre.

Twelve locations across the country were initially identified as "the next generation of new towns", but that has now been shortlisted to seven.

"I guess I am happy with it," says Mick Ridley, who lives around South Bank.

"I think the thing that probably would concern me is not just the houses, but the other infrastructure. Will there be shops, et cetera, things like that?

"You see lots of big developments on the edges of towns and they are just houses and it looks a bit sad.

"What I would like to see is something mixed, but certainly it would be nice to see the area coming back to life."

As well as upwards of 10,000 homes, Leeds City Council says there is potential for nearly 2m sq m of commercial space across the city.

According to the mayor of West Yorkshire, the Leeds South Bank New Town is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity".

Tracy Brabin says the development will be "supported by the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System and vital investment in Leeds Station, to unlock jobs and opportunity in the heart of the North".

Sultan Walji works in South Bank, and believes the area is in need of development.

"You have office building spaces here, so if you had residential areas then it would give the boost to the whole area.

"I think if you had more places to eat or to drink, then I think it will boost the economy as well."

A further consultation on proposed sites will now take place, with final locations to be confirmed later this year.

Despite the promise of opportunity, there is scepticism the project will take shape.

"Development is a good thing, but it has to be done right," says Councillor Ed Carlisle, the Green Party representative for the Hunslet and Riverside Ward.

"We need to make sure that this really delivers, that it is genuinely affordable.

"It could very easily be a big new shiny thing that actually doesn't bring social equity to our cities and overshadows the established communities already here."

Labour ministers have promised that building work on three sites will start before the next general election, which must take place by 2029 at the latest.

"There is already a community feel with the area," Stringer adds.

Her cafe has been based in South Bank for about two decades.

"To engage that more and have more people here would be great."

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