🗣️ NEW TOWN ANNOUNCEMENT: LEEDS SOUTH BANK

I broadly welcomed the government 's commitment to help accelerate the existing plans for Leeds South Bank, much of which is located within Hunslet and Riverside Ward.

But redevelopment and regeneration must deliver for existing city centre communities and those that neighbour it in the inner city, in particular those of Beeston Hill, Hunslet Moor, and Hunslet.

I've been clear in meetings to date with both Council Officers and political leadership that growth for growth sake, although it will increase revenues and job opportunities, must be balanced to deliver for the people I already represent.

There needs to be significant consideration of how local people will benefit directly from the creation of these new jobs, many of which will displace existing ones as industrial areas are likely to be redeveloped, and how we ensure existing residents benefit from the proposed increase in the availability in affordable to buy, affordable to rent, and socially rented homes that are planned to be built.

Today's announcement means these conversations are now more pressing than ever, because if redevelopment and regeneration work is accelerated, ensuring the above concerns, and others, are addressed is now paramount.