The development marks the final stage of a major regeneration project that has already seen the restoration of the Grade II listed Castle Buildings and the historic Earl de Grey pub. While Wykeland already held planning permission for a hotel on the site, these new plans have been tailored to meet the specific “playful and design-led” requirements of the Marriott-owned Moxy brand.

Market research commissioned by Wykeland revealed a significant shortage of accommodation in the city, with city centre hotels reaching full capacity roughly 100 nights per year. This would be the first new hotel built in Hull since 2017.

Jonathan Stubbs, Wykeland’s Development Director said: “The development of a Moxy hotel would complete this prominent development site, as well as being an impressive addition to the Hull skyline. Its location, on the doorstep of the Connexin Live arena and close to the marina and Fruit Market, make it the perfect location for both leisure and business visitors.”

Molly Turpie, Senior Manager, International Hotel Development, for Marriott International Hotel said: “Hull is a city with a strong cultural identity and growing visitor appeal, making it an ideal location for Moxy’s playful, design-led approach. We’re excited at the prospect of creating a hotel that reflects the spirit of the city while delivering the high standards and global reach of Marriott International.”

The hotel will be owned by Wykeland and operated by Legacy Hotel Management Services. If approved, the site will feature a ground-floor bar, food area, gym, and social spaces designed to act as a “social hub” for visitors.

The Wetherby-based developer secured the land on Ings Road from Strategic Land Group and plans to build a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses. Of these, 14 will be designated as affordable homes delivered in partnership with Vico Homes. The development is designed to incorporate green open space and a park, targeting an EPC A rating through sustainable features such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

As part of the project, Newett Homes will contribute £100,000 towards community benefits, including local leisure facilities, play equipment, and transport improvements. This expansion follows a period of growth for the business, which was established in 2017 and currently operates 10 active developments.

Will Newett said: “We are very pleased to have secured this site in Kirton in Lindsey, which represents our first development outside of Yorkshire and a significant milestone in the growth of the business. This development presents an excellent opportunity to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes in a much sought-after rural location and reflects our commitment to creating sustainable communities while enhancing the surrounding area through considered design and investment.”

Initial groundworks at the site are already underway, with the first residents expected to move in by December 2026. The company recently received a five-star rating from the Home Builders Federation for its build quality and customer service.

The 14th-century Tudor building at 83–87 Micklegate is currently undergoing a programme of maintenance to its roof, timber, and drainage. Once these structural repairs are completed in spring 2026, 87 Micklegate will reopen as a holiday apartment managed by Wheelwrights York. The building has a varied history, having previously housed butchers, drapers, and saddle makers.

Nearby at 69–71 Micklegate, Wheelwrights York will take over the full lease and management of three apartments and Trinity Cottage. This medieval timber-framed building, which also contains Georgian masonry and Roman structures in the basement, was saved through a £1 million restoration project in 2014. Wheelwrights, who already base their office on the ground floor, will redecorate and furnish the spaces to prepare them for regular use by visitors.

Jerry Rebbeck said: “These Micklegate buildings are an important part of York’s history, and we’re proud to be working alongside York Conservation Trust to make sure they are well protected, cared for, and actively used for many more years to come. Taking on the full lease of the building feels like a natural next step. This will allow us to invest in the apartments and cottage, and create characterful stays right in the heart of the city.”

Guy Bowyer said: “Our quirky property layouts lend themselves ideally to holiday lets. They’re great to stay in for a short time but hard to live in and they support our core charitable objective of promoting the enjoyment of our historic buildings. The new lease of 69-71 Micklegate marks an important milestone for the building’s future, allowing the Wheelwrights team to continue their good work managing the properties while investing in their long-term use.”

For more information on these historic stays, visit www.wheelwrightsyork.com.

The nursery, located on Queens Road, provides care for up to 54 children and has built a strong reputation for its child-led environment. Under the ownership of Hannah Hurley, who took over the business in 2013, the setting adopted Montessori principles and achieved accreditation with The Curiosity Approach, a modern pedagogical framework focused on natural materials and wooden resources.

Following a confidential sales process, the business has been purchased by first-time buyers Joanne and Andrew Banner. The couple identified the nursery as the ideal location to begin their own journey into early years education and care.

Hannah Hurley, the outgoing owner, said: “I will be very sad to leave the nursery, staff and parents have been a pleasure to work with, but I know it is in the best hands with the new owners Joanne and Andrew.”

The sale comes at a time of high activity in the regional childcare market. Grace Day, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co, noted that the opportunity received a large number of enquiries from across the sector.

She commented: “It was clear from the outset that Joanne and Andrew were the right fit to continue the legacy that Hannah had built. This sale reflects what we’re continuing to see across the market, with new entrants keen to acquire day nurseries across a range of sizes, locations, and budgets.”

While the final purchase price remains undisclosed, the transition marks a significant moment for the Richmond community, ensuring the continuity of quality childcare provision for local families.

Data reveals that homes sold by Zenko in 2025 achieved an average price of £235,689, outperforming the wider Leeds city centre average of £164,911 by more than £70,000. This growth follows The Sunday Times recently naming Leeds city centre as the best place for young people to live in the UK.

A notable shift in the market is the rise of first-time buyers, who now make up 62% of viewers, compared to 50% in January 2025. While many rely on increasingly competitive mortgage rates, there has been a marked increase in first-time buyers purchasing with full cash support from parents.

Tobias Duczenko, Managing Director at Zenko City Living, said:

“The city centre residential market behaves very differently to housing markets in the suburbs, but many of the unique challenges we’ve faced in recent years are now subsiding. Lots of developments in Leeds have now benefitted from cladding remediation and news that ground rents will be capped at £250 per year, as part of a shake-up of the leasehold system, is having a positive impact.”

The lettings sector is also undergoing significant change ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act, which comes into effect on 1st May 2026. The new laws will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, ban rental bidding wars, and introduce indefinite periodic tenancies. Zenko reports a spike in landlords seeking professional management to ensure compliance with these legislative shifts.

On the topic of rental management, Tobias Duczenko added:

“Significantly, we refuse to charge landlord clients commission on maintenance works we organise on their behalf. Regrettably, and unacceptably in our view, it has become increasingly common for agents to charge their landlords an additional commission… This can often be 15% and some agents in Leeds are charging 20%!”

Tenant demand remains high, with two-bedroom city centre apartments typically renting for just over £1,100 per month. Zenko maintains that there is still “headroom” for both capital values and rental growth as the city continues to expand.

The proposed scheme, named Colburn Grange, seeks to deliver up to 450 new homes on a 53-acre site located to the west of Colburn and Catterick Garrison. A significant feature of the proposal is the commitment to providing up to 40% affordable housing, aimed at addressing the high demand for homes in the former Richmondshire area.

The masterplan has been developed using Keyland’s “Six Capitals” approach, which prioritises environmental, social, and economic benefits over standard development models. This includes:

• Green Space: A large portion of the site is reserved for recreational areas and water management.
• Connectivity: The site will be accessed via Catterick Road, providing links to the A1(M), Catterick Garrison, and Richmond.
• Active Travel: New routes will connect to existing Public Rights of Way to encourage walking and cycling into local centres.
• Ecology: Existing hedgerows and landscape features will be integrated into the new public realm to support local wildlife.

The site is currently used for farming, and the developers argue that the project aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework by making more efficient use of the land to meet community needs.

Beth O’Hara, Land and Planning Manager at Keyland, said:

“Colburn Grange is located within a highly sustainable location, and presents an excellent opportunity to assist North Yorkshire Council and the local community with the recognised need for well-considered new housing in this area. The masterplan has been sensitively designed to form a high-quality sustainable community, connected to established local areas, to enhance the socio-economic fabric of the wider area. Importantly, it will also make a significant contribution to Colburn’s affordable housing supply. We have taken on board input from the recent consultations to enhance the proposals and are looking forward to moving through the next steps to bring this important new development to life.”

The application will now be considered by planners at North Yorkshire Council.

The property at 4 High Court is owned by tech entrepreneur Ollie Maitland, who previously used the building as the base for his own business. After researching the market and consulting with architects and residential agents, he decided to secure planning permission for a residential conversion to keep the building as a long-term investment.

The project marks the final stage of the wider regeneration of High Court, an area that once served as the civic heart of Leeds. David Bailey of DLG Architects, who designed the scheme, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work on this conversion which occupies a prominent position in what used to be the civic heart of Leeds city centre and it’s fair to say that the rather brutal modernist facade needed a little love which has been delivered in spades by the introduction of a new frontage with floor to ceiling windows.”

The design of the building was heavily influenced by its proximity to Leeds Minster and the medieval history of the surrounding area. David Bailey added: “The proximity of Leeds Minster and the rich history of this part of the city as a medieval precursor to modern Leeds was very much on our minds as we developed the scheme, and we wanted to make sure that the finished building could hold its own.”

Zenko City Living has been appointed to let and manage the development. Tobias Duczenko of Zenko City Living said: “The transformation of this 1970s property into a stunning collection of homes marks the final stage of High Court’s wider regeneration, which has seen every surrounding building redeveloped in recent years. It’s been years since any new apartments have been delivered for rent around The Calls, and we can’t wait to launch 4 High Court.”

The construction was carried out by Claywood Construction, despite the logistical challenges of working on a constrained city centre footprint. Paul Burke, MD of Claywood Construction, said: “It is always particularly rewarding to deliver a project in our home city of Leeds. While the site presented logistical challenges given its constrained footprint and busy city centre location, the project team has delivered an excellent result that we are extremely proud of.”

The new apartments arrive at a time of high demand for private rentals in smaller, high-quality developments. Tobias Duczenko added: “Despite a surge in the number of build-to-rent apartments being delivered in the current cycle, demand for private rentals in high-quality, small-scale developments remains high, and as the number of people working in the professional sector in Leeds city centre continues to grow, we expect this to continue at pace.”

Zenko City Living will be taking enquiries for the new apartments soon from their neighbouring office at Graphical House.

The duplex home is tucked away in Balmoral Place at Brewery Wharf and is being sold by Zenko City Living. It stands out for its 1,000 square foot outdoor space, which the current owners spent over £30,000 to create so they could catch both the sunrise and sunset.

This sale highlights the ongoing transformation of the South Bank area. As more people look for high-end urban living, properties like this benefit from the development of Aire Park, a massive green space project that is set to become the new natural heart of the city.

The owners originally bought the property off-plan 20 years ago and have spent years turning it into something unique. Ian Darley, Head of Sales at Zenko City Living, said: “This penthouse is a complete one-off, and this is the first time it’s been on the market, after the current owners bought it off-plan as a new-build, 20 years ago. During that time, they’ve done a huge amount of work to create a truly individual home.”

The owners even added a vertical extension to make room for a master suite on the top floor. Ian Darley added: “This includes adding a brand new vertical extension to accommodate a master bedroom suite, and they’ve invested more than £30,000 in creating a south-facing terrace which enjoys sunrise and sunset views. It also has the added advantage of overlooking Aire Park, which will offer more than eight acres of green space and is quickly becoming the new heart of Leeds’ South Bank.”

While the home is a one-off, there is still room for buyers to put their own stamp on the property. Ian Darley said: “Crucially, there’s still room for buyers to put their own stamp on the property and we’re trialling a number of innovative AI tools with this home to generate a selection of images to help buyers visualise how a new kitchen could look, for example. And for lovers of old school hi-fi, the apartment comes complete with vintage Bang & Olufsen wall-mounted TV and Beosound CD changer.”

The property is on the market for £875,000 and includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, secure basement parking, and access to an on-site residents’ gym. Further information is available at www.zenkoproperties.co.uk or by calling 0113 247 0777.

The detached property, which has operated as a chippy since 1914, found national fame in Ken Loach’s masterpiece based on the novel by Barnsley author Barry Hines. In the film’s standout scene, Billy decides to treat himself to a bag of chips after skipping a trip to the bookies, and the shop remains a landmark for film enthusiasts over 50 years later.

While the Kes connection provides a unique claim to fame, the building is also a fully let investment producing £25,200 annually. The lot includes the chip shop itself, currently on a nine-year lease, alongside a fully let three-room residential property and a separate two-storey brick workshop at the rear.

James Vandenbrook, associate director at BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, commented:

“Casper’s Fish & Chips is a well-known local business in its own right, but its appearance in such an iconic film gives the property a unique added level of interest. Combined with the residential accommodation and additional workshop space, it makes for an attractive mixed-use investment opportunity. The property is part of UK cinema history: Kes, which was mostly filmed in and around Barnsley, is still one of the most celebrated British films ever made and continues to have a strong following more than 50 years after its release.”

The online auction is set to take place on 24 March, hosted by BTG Eddisons Property Auctions—the new unified brand for Pugh, SDL Property Auctions, and Mark Jenkinson. The sale brings together a century of local heritage and a legendary piece of South Yorkshire’s cultural identity.

The development features 10 of Avant Homes’ energy-efficient house types, designed to meet the demands of modern living. Prices for the initial release start at £284,995 for a three-bedroom semi-detached “Baildon” and go up to £324,995 for the three-bedroom detached “Maltby” model.

The Maltby is highlighted as a standout example of the developer’s focus on practical design. Its ground floor includes a large living room and an open-plan kitchen and dining area with French doors leading to the rear garden. The upper floor comprises a large main bedroom with an en-suite, alongside two additional bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Hannah Orgille, Sales and Marketing Director at Avant Homes West Yorkshire, said: “Five Rise Quarter has generated high levels of interest from buyers since we first announced our plans for the development, so it’s fantastic to release these first homes for sale. Bingley is an ideal place to call home. It has convenient access to Bradford and Leeds, a number of excellent schools nearby, as well as a variety of heritage walks and trails in close proximity.”

Construction at the site is well underway, with a dedicated show home scheduled to open to the public this spring. Interested buyers are encouraged to contact the sales team to discuss the newly released plots.