A PIONEERING residential care home in Yeadon for adults with learning disabilities and autism is expected to open next year.

The home will be the first of its kind in Leeds. At Leeds City Council’s Executive Board meeting on February 9 council chiefs noted progress on the proposal to build accommodation for adults with severe learning disabilities and severe autism on the site of the former Kirkland House care home on Queensway.

The project aims to create a six-bed medium-term stay care home which will help to prevent future hospital admissions and Leeds residents from being placed in institutions out of the area. There is currently no provision in the city to accommodate individuals with the most complex needs in relation to their learning disabilities.

Guiseley and Rawdon’s three ward councillors welcomed the progress.

Cllr Graham Latty said:“I am delighted that the former care home site on Queensway is set to be put to good use once again. There is currently no provision like this for people with severe learning disabilities and autism in Leeds so the project will hopefully result in a much-improved service for some of our most vulnerable residents. I hope the plans continue to make good progress.”

Cllr Paul Wadsworth added:“I welcome these plans and want to see the scheme delivered as quickly as possible. The former Kirkland House site has unfortunately stood empty and disused for some time and we have been keen to ensure it is brought back into use. This new project will respond to a clear need for this type of provision in the city, and it means the disused site will no longer be an eyesore for the local community.”

Cllr Paul Alderson said: “I’m pleased to support this scheme. Aside from the obvious benefits it will bring to those who will use the new care home, preventing hospital admissions and reducing the chances of someone having to seek provision outside of Leeds, I’m also glad that this site will soon be put to good use again. I would urge everyone involved in the project to do what they can to deliver it in an efficient and timely manner.”

Construction is expected to start in early 2023, with completion anticipated by early Autumn 2023.

The use of the former Kirkland House site will enable savings of £1.5m by relocating the project from the former Burley Willows site where significant groundwork costs would be incurred.