A trust which is hoping to transform a derelict mill into community housing has applied for cash to help turn their dream into reality.
The Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT) wants to develop over 55s social housing on the disused Abbey Mills site at Kirkstall Bridge, alongside a community hub.
The Trust have submitted a bid to Homes England that will pay for all the development work for around 35 social houysing flats at Abbey Mills.
KVDT wants to bring together a group of people who will create a real community on the site.
Following a public meeting in January and the formation of a Housing Steering Group, KVDT is keen to develop low cost, resident managed minimal car use housing for local people. A spokesperson said:
“All our plans for the Community Hub at the mill are still in place. If this works the Trust will take possession of the whole mill. We are working with Accent Housing as partners.
“There is still the problem of whether we will have to build the access road that the Council want. Within two months we should know whether we will be offered the grant and what the recommendation on the road is. We’ll pull people together at that point. In the meantime, if you are interested in living there – get in touch.”
Check out West Leeds Dispatch‘s coverage on this issue here.
KVDT is also expecting an Expression of Interest invitation for farmland at Burley Mills to be issued by Leeds City Council in the next few days. The trust is hoping to turn the land into a community farm.
Trust members have put together a business plan for the Community Supported Agriculture scheme and want to recruit more potential volunteers and vegetable box buyers.
KVDT will be leafleting the Kirkstall Deli market on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st March. If you can help out on the stall, contact roger.plumtree@kvdt.org.uk.
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