Housing regeneration plan on show

Homes on the Holbeck Towers estate are among those being revamped

Plans for the multi-million pound regeneration of three areas of Leeds have gone on display to the public.

More than 400 new homes will be built and 1,241 will be refurbished in Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck.

Two firms are bidding to carry out the work on behalf of Leeds City Council and their designs will be shown at a series of public events this month.

The plans also include improved play areas, new shops and a community centre for the Little London estate.

The companies who are bidding for the work are Regenter and sustainable communities for Leeds (sc4L).

Exhibition dates 11 July, marquee at Holbeck Gala, until 1700 BST 15 July, St Matthew's Community Centre, Holbeck, 1500-1900 BST 18 July, marquee in housing office car park, Oatland Drive, Little London, 1000-1500 BST 23 July, Hillside, Beeston Road, 1500-1900 BST

The contract will be for the building and refurbishment work, environmental improvements and a 20-year maintenance service.

Councillor Les Carter, the city's councils executive member for neighbourhoods and housing, said the public events were the "culmination of a lot of hard work".

He said: "Through these exhibitions people will be able to better visualise the regeneration plans and how the widespread modernisation of council housing will have a positive impact not only for individuals and families but for the area as a whole."

The project is being funded through the controversial Private Finance Initiative, which brings private money to public projects.