Building work has begun on Leeds Jewish Housing Association’s largest ever affordable homes project.

The scheme at Queenshill Avenue in Moortown will comprise 85 properties — 51 sheltered housing apartments for those aged 55 and above and 34 general needs dwellings.

It is being delivered in partnership with government housing agency Homes England.

Following meetings last year with LJHA tenants who would be affected by the demolition work and a wider community consultation, changes were made to the original designs. Planning permission was granted in January.

The builders are following government guidelines on safe working and construction is expected to take 18 months.

With the new development, LJHA will have four sheltered schemes on the site.

All 181 apartments will be connected to form a sheltered village with easy access to the Ziff Community Centre.

LJHA chief executive Mark Grandfield said that many months of hard work had gone into “a scheme we feel the community desperately needs.

“Queenshill will increase our overall stock by 13 per cent and represents our biggest single development since LJHA was founded almost 67 years ago.”

Operations director Craig Simons thanked the 22 tenants whose properties had to be demolished to make way for the new buildings and other amenities.

“We do appreciate how hard this has been for them. They worked closely with us during extremely stressful times and their understanding is greatly appreciated.”

LJHA chair Jayne Wynick added that the project would provide “low rent homes that look fantastic and are modern, energy efficient, warm and secure.

“Feedback we have received is that people want more family housing too and we would love to look at building for families next.”

LJHA has almost 500 properties in its portfolio, which are located around the LS17 postcode in the heart of the Jewish community.