Summer 2025 Good News Round-Up

Leeds at the forefront of health innovation

The government has chosen Leeds to drive forward its flagship health mission as part of a new national pilot programme that will bring together local communities, civil servants and frontline workers to design new health policies. As well as Leeds, Darlington will drive the government's growth mission and Sheffield will focus on opportunity. 

This news builds on a recent visit from the Secretary of Health and Social Care to Leeds, hailing the city as a 'healthcare innovation powerhouse', which included the announcement that a new digital hub launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will be based in Leeds.

Global Leeds

New figures have been published showing the impact of Leeds' visitor economy. 3.39m people stayed in Leeds as part of a holiday or short break in 2024, a 4% increase on the previous year.  The latest figures also estimate that the tourism sector is worth over £1bn to the local economy, supporting almost 23,964 full time jobs.  In addition, the city also welcomed 2.1m delegates worth £419.7m to the local economy, with the number of events per venue outperforming the national average.

Aire Park opening

Aire Park, Leeds' 24-acre mixed use development, has now opened its next phase bringing 66,700 sq ft of new green space to the South Bank. Connecting the public realm in front of the Tetley building to Crown Point Road, this new area marks the largest segment of the park to open so far, with one final hectare to go for what is set to be the UK's largest new city centre park.

Council housing growth

A recent report to the council's Executive Board has set out progress made by the Leeds Council Housing Growth Programme. A total of 788 affordable homes - for rent by council tenants - have been built or acquired by the programme over the last five years, and a further 284 affordable homes are currently under construction or in the process of being acquired. The city has delivered the highest number of affordable homes over the last five years out of any other core city.

Biodiversity gains

The council has been piloting a successful Biodiversity Net Gain scheme, where developers are required by the government to improve nature as a result of their projects, either at their site or at local spots. Four sites - Rothwell Country Park, Skelton Lake, Killingbeck Fields and Otley Chevin Forest Park have been identified for these investments, with improvements delivered through the Leeds Habitat Company which is wholly owned by the council.