Preferred Homes completes first development

Hunslet Moor House in Leeds is a £16.3m extra-care development designed for the over-55s, consisting of 51 one-bed and 12 two-bed flats.

The 63 self-contained apartment scheme was built on the site of a derelict 1970s shopping centre in Beeston.

All the apartments are available for affordable rent, and since completing on the site, half of the properties are already occupied.

The developer is working in partnership with Leeds City Council and will fill 50% of the demand for extra-care housing within a five-mile catchment area.

Managed by Pinnacle Group, the property has community spaces for socialising, a café, shop, and gardens.

Preferred Homes is backed by Nuveen and will retain ownership of the property.

It has eight more developments in the pipeline, with its next scheme opening in Telford, Shropshire, in spring.

Stephen Sorrell, social partnership director at Preferred Homes, said: “It’s a real milestone seeing the Preferred Homes vision come to life in Leeds.

“Thanks to our strong partnership with the City Council, we’ve been able to realise our shared ambitions for the site and make sure it will be a community asset for years to come.

“We hope to build on this as we deepen our partnership work with councils and replicate the success of Hunslet Moor House across the country.” 

Cllr Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “I’m delighted that these high-quality apartments will be let for low-cost affordable rent – with tenancies supported by Leeds City Council social work team – highlighting how we’re using our local partnerships to take meaningful action on the national housing emergency.

“Extra care schemes such as this, and the services they offer, further reinforce our ambition for Leeds to be the best city to grow old in and a place where people age well, with its residents able to maintain their independence in the wider community for longer, in an environment that supports mental wellbeing and peace of mind.”