Charity St George’s Crypt plans to build 20 houses

Leeds-based charity St George’s Crypt has launched a new property development company that will see 20 houses built as part of a £1.5M project for the homeless.

The Charity plans to provide homes and community facilities for homeless and vulnerable people in the Leeds area at a site near St Hilda’s church, Cross Green, in Leeds. Plans also exist to redevelop and expand a hostel in Headingley, which deals with alcohol addiction.

The scheme is to include studio flats, one and two-bedroom properties, facilities for education and training, along with staff accommodation.

The development company’s board of directors is made up of some of Leeds’ leading property and construction figures: Mark Henderson, Brewster Bye Architects; Jonathan Morgan, Morgans; quantity surveyor and project manager Richard Cavadino; Joel Owen, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Maggie Gjessing, Executive Regeneration Manager at Leeds City Council; and Reverend Jonathan Clark, from St George’s Church.

Mark Henderson of Brewster Bye Architects, said: “As a company, we have a longstanding relationship with St George’s Crypt, which was forged by Brewster Bye’s co-founder, the late David Bye.

“Over the last 20 years we have worked with the charity on a pro bono basis on a wide range of highly successful projects and it’s great to be taking it to the next level by launching this development company.”

Jonathan Morgan, from property sales and rental business Morgans, said the company’s aim was to carry on the “great work” St George’s Crypt performs in the city. He commented: “The objective of St George’s Supported Living is to provide safe, managed homes for clients of The Crypt as they leave their addictions behind and work towards independence.

“The sites in Cross Green and Headingley both offer great potential and we’re already considering several other sites across the city.”

Originally set up by the Revd Percy Donald Robins, St George’s Crypt is based within St George’s church in Leeds and has been providing support for homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Leeds and its surrounding areas since 1930.

Martin Patterson, St George’s Crypt Fundraising Director, said: “This exciting project will enable us to significantly expand the work that St George’s Crypt does in Leeds.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have such an experienced team on board who will all contribute towards ensuring our developments will be a success as well as providing inspirational environments for our residents to make positive changes in their lives.”

The Charity have said they are in the final stages of concluding the purchase of the land and it is hoped that work could begin next summer and completed in 2017.

 

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