Transport links kick‑start Yorkshire build boom

Improved transport infrastructure is set to enhance construction opportunities in Leeds and Yorkshire.

Major schemes underway range from the £2 billion TransPennine Route Upgrade to upgrade the rail network into Leeds (Project ID: 24264556) to a £31.6 million railway station at Thorpe Park on the York-Selby line (Project ID: 18371905). The £2.5 billion West Yorkshire Mass Transit Programme (pictured) is also due to start in 2028 (Project ID: 19297872).

These improved transport links are expected to help drive construction opportunities in Leeds, where student accommodation and residential work are strong, but the office sector has slowed, according to Deloitte’s latest Crane Hire Survey for the city.

Accommodation drive

The number of new beds in student accommodation schemes doubled to 896 in 2025 from 487 in the previous year, according to Deloitte’s research.

Glenigan’s market analysis found several student accommodation schemes with detailed planning permission, and due to start on site in the next 12 months, which should keep work flowing.

These range from a planned £18.6 million conversion of Coverdale House on East Parade into 105 student flats (Project ID: 24008060) to Town Centre Securities’ £60 million Merrion Centre (Project ID: 23389513). Both schemes are due to start this summer.

Deloitte’s recent survey found work started on 2,064 new homes in Leeds in 2025. This is up from 1,832 homes in the previous year, and Glenigan’s research suggests this positive trend should continue.

There are 55 private residential schemes in Leeds with detailed planning permission and due to commence in the next 12 months.

These include a £4.6 million conversion of offices at Armley Park Court into 38 flats set to begin this summer (Project ID: 22391109) and plans for 52 houses and 20 flats on a former Civil Service sports ground in Potternewton (Project ID: 15404403). A start is due early next year.

Regional prospects

Across the wider Yorkshire & Humberside region, Glenigan’s construction market intelligence found 3,543 schemes with detailed planning permission and due to commence in the coming 12 months.

Half of this total is at an underlying level (valued up to £100m), and private housing led the way with 463 schemes, ahead of the industrial sector.

The 261 approved industrial schemes set to start include a £22.6 million plan for three units at Parkway Works in Sheffield, where an August start is planned (Project ID: 25326460), to an £18.6 million plan for two employment units at Cross Green Industrial Estate in Leeds (Project ID: 22317338).

Yorkshire Top 10

Leeds-based GMI dominates the Yorkshire contracting landscape with a £155 million order book in the region in the 12 months to February 2026.

This workload includes a £32 million redevelopment of the Dakota Hotel in York, where work should commence in June (Project ID: 24324659).

Yorkshire – Top 10 contractors March 2025 to February 2026

Wates has an office in Leeds and is making its presence felt, with a £127 million order book securing the second spot. Work includes the £78.5 million Wellington Square residential development in Leeds, with a May start anticipated (Project ID: 23047720).

McLaren ran in third with a £96 million order book, including The Tower, a £17.3 million residential scheme in Leeds, where construction should begin in June (Project ID: 24111714).

Connecting the dots

With improved infrastructure set to improve transport links, the outlook for construction in Leeds and Yorkshire is looking up.