Leeds Development Corporation

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Leeds Development Corporation was created in 1988 to regenerate South Central Leeds and the Kirkstall Valley. It was part of a Heseltine‑led initiative during the late 1980s, with ministers appointing board members who could override local planning controls to fund infrastructure — a move that drew criticism in Labour areas.

The area covered old industrial land in South Central Leeds and a site at a former power station in Kirkstall Valley, which faced opposition from the Kirkstall Valley campaign. Its key projects included the Royal Armouries Museum at Clarence Dock and the Hunslet Green housing development.

In total, the corporation built 4.1 million square feet of non-housing development and 571 homes, created about 9,066 jobs, and helped attract roughly £357 million of private finance. It reclaimed 168 acres of derelict land and laid 7.2 miles of new roads and footpaths. The chairman was Peter Hartley CBE and the chief executive was Martin Eagland; executive directors were Alan Goodrum, Robin Herzberg and Stuart Kenny. Leeds Development Corporation was dissolved in 1995.