Building work has begun on a pioneering new residential care home for people with severe learning disabilities and autism in Leeds The new care home in Yeadon will be the first of its kind to be built and funded by Leeds City Council along with NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) providing bespoke housing and support for adults with complex learning disability and autism needs – a provision currently unavailable in the city. The innovative facility will offer its residents the opportunity to remain in their local community and closer to family and friends rather than in residential care outside of the area the care home will also include two-storey staff facilities to provide high staffing levels to support the individuals 24 hours a day The work is a result of significant collaboration between Leeds City Council the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Leeds and York Partnership Trust (LYPFT) to invest in inspirational accommodation which provides personalised care for people who need high levels of support within their home city The flagship build is taking place on the site of the former Kirkland House older people’s care home and it is expected to be completed by October 2025 Representatives from the partner organisations involved in the project visited the site recently to mark the start of the work active lifestyles and culture said: “I’m delighted to see work starting on site to bring this much-needed facility to fruition and ready to welcome residents soon “This crucial service will transform the lives of adults in Leeds with severe learning disabilities and complex autism by providing the opportunity to live a fulfilled life in the community “The scheme underlines our commitment to tackling social isolation and health inequalities for some of our city’s most vulnerable residents and we look forward to working with partners to deliver what will be truly bespoke care to meet the specific needs of these individuals.” NHS West Yorkshire NHS ICB’s Director of Strategy said: “It’s a real honour to be here on site to see how the build is coming along This is going to make such a difference to the lives of local people with complex learning disabilities and autism and those that support and care for them “Our goal as part of the Leeds Health and Care Partnership is to improve health and care for local people and make Leeds the best city for health and wellbeing to be on the ground to see a project coming together that will support some of our most vulnerable people to live more independently is really special.” regional director for Kier Construction North and Scotland which is the main contractor for the build added: “We are really delighted to be delivering such a vital facility that will support people with severe learning disabilities to live in their community the centre will provide a much-improved homely environment for some of the most vulnerable residents in Leeds.” The project supports Leeds City Council’s Best City Ambition, through improving health and wellbeing outcomes for people with high care needs and working together with health partners, as well as the authority’s Inclusive Growth Strategy investment and employment opportunities within the local communities Leeds City Council communications and marketing Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk Official local authority website for Leeds providing information on local services. Pauline Millward was a passenger in a Hyundai Tucson which stopped outside a property off Lea Mill Park Drive, in Yeadon, Leeds, at about 2.40pm on Thursday. The 76-year-old got out the car and was on the driveway when she was hit, suffering fatal injuries. A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released pending further enquiries. Pauline's family said she "will be missed every day by all who knew her". They added: "Pauline was a wonderful woman. She was an amazing mother, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother and sister who would have done anything for her family." Officers from the Major Collision Enquiry Team (MCET) are continuing to appeal to anyone who saw the collision to come forward. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know. Win Happy PremiumSearch Rayo greatest hits west yorkshire newsLeeds City Council apologises after u-turn on Yeadon school closureLeeds City Council has faced criticism over the future of Queensway primary in Yeadon which was earmarked for closure this summer Council leaders have apologised to families for the distress caused by the reversal of plans to close a primary school Leeds City Council has faced criticism over the future of Queensway primary in Yeadon The council said falling pupil numbers meant the school was facing a financial deficit But legal action was brought as parents raised fears over the welfare of pupils Council leader James Lewis said the local authority was sorry at an executive board meeting on Wednesday He said: “I’ll be very clear that we will learn from how we got here.” The Labour-led council was to press ahead with the closure after deciding to issue a statutory notice at its March executive board meeting But the decision was reversed after law firm Irwin Mitchell said the authority could face judicial review proceedings over “significant flaws” in the consultation process It was the second time the school faced closure since 2022 when similar plans led to an outcry from parents said: “The pain and damage that’s been caused to this school “The position they have been put in because of the incompetence of this council is appalling.” Coun Lamb said staff had to look for new jobs and families sought alternative school places He called on the council to give assurances over the school’s long-term future Councillors agreed to rescind the decision to issue a statutory notice A further report would be brought to executive board this summer on options for the school’s future Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response These are the first pictures showing the extensive damage after a suspected gas explosion rocked a quiet cul-de-sac in a Leeds suburb The blast happened just after 10.30pm on January 1 on Marshall Street in Leeds and was heard for miles People said it sounded like a bomb going off with their own homes shaking They said they say all the windows and doors blown off and debris scattered across the garden A nearby caravan had also been 'blown to smithereens' Resident Andrew Fielden lives just around the corner and heard a loud bang “I heard a big bang and felt the house shake We saw all the debris and windows in the street We saw all his windows in the garden and his doors blown off” Mr Fielden walked up the cul de sac to where the damaged house was He saw a caravan parked outside ‘blown to smithereeens’ He says a man emerged from the wrecked house “He just walked out of the house; unbelievable - he’s lucky to be alive.“ FOR THE LATEST FROM THE SCENE CLICK HERE Andrew and another man checked the injured man over look at my caravan.’ I says ‘never mind your caravan mate - you’re alive mate it was a massive bang that shook my whole house and it happened at the top of my street “I have never heard anything like it before She added that her neighbours had reported having doorbell footage of the explosion “blowing their windows in” Get all the latest and breaking news in Leeds by signing up to our newsletter here. When emergency crews arrived at the Marshall Street home a 57-year-old man was discovered suffering from serious injuries in the wake of the blast He was transferred to hospital for treatment Two properties sustained substantial damage with authorities evacuating nearby properties amid fears of further danger West Yorkshire Police confirmed that all residents have received the green light to return to their homes by 4.30am except for two homes that are yet to be cleared initial investigations suggest that gas may have ignited and therefore triggered the Marshall Street explosion The source of the gas is currently under investigation Northern Gas has made the gas mains connected to local residences safe The area has been roped off from the public by authorities with police adding that cordons on Marshall Street will remain in place throughout Thursday as further investigations take place Get all the latest big and breaking Leeds news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Parents and carers have said they are "devastated" by plans to close a Leeds school as they raised concerns over the impact on children with additional needs Queensway Primary School in Yeadon is set to shut at the end of the school year after city councillors backed the move in a vote last week Leeds City Council's executive member for children and families said closing a school was "not a decision we take lightly".She said the council understood the strength of feeling and recognised the "tireless work of everyone involved" in improving the school's position we have a responsibility to consider the viability of the school and as such we are now seeking to progress to the next stage of consultation," she said.