Issue details

To consider the decision on the preferred option for the future of the two Highways high rise blocks, following the completion of an options appraisal. The council owns and manages these council housing blocks in the Killingbeck area of east Leeds. These are each ten storeys, have a total of 120 homes, and are of Reema Large Panel System (LPS) construction from the early 1960s. The blocks are known to have structural issues and, although they are safe to live in currently, they have exceeded their original design life and require significant investment to bring them up to the standards required by both the council and national guidance. We want everyone to be able to live in good quality homes and are committed to improving quality and standards.

The options appraisal has looked principally at either refurbishing the blocks, or demolishing the site to redevelop with new council housing. Factors considered include alignment with council policies and plans, as well as the financial case - including capital costs, net present value over 30 years, and return on investment and the payback period.

A decision to suspend new lettings, and start re-housing existing residents has already been taken (April 2019). This was the result of recognition that it was not possible to identify a workable refurbishment solution that would allow residents to stay in their homes whilst any works were carried out, given the scale and length of disruption involved.