
In the heart of Leeds’, one family’s transition into a new home represents much more than just a change of address—it’s a commitment to sustainability, community, and a lifestyle that nurtures both personal and environmental well-being. Pete, along with his wife Jane, recently moved from a beloved Victorian terrace in Armley to a Citu home at Stall. Their journey is an insightful example of how modern, sustainable housing can seamlessly integrate with long-standing community ties and personal values.

For Pete and his family, the decision to leave their Armley home, where they had lived for 22 years and where their children were born and grew up, was not made lightly. The couple had always been drawn to the homes in the Climate Innovation District (CID) because of their eco-friendly design, but the idea of relocating meant potentially losing the community they had built in Armley. Pete, an avid participant in the local park run, found that the close proximity of Stall to Armley allowed them to preserve these connections, despite moving to a new and innovative space. “It’s almost as if we’ve changed our living without having to change our community that radically,” he reflects.
The couple’s old home, a beautiful Victorian terrace, had a charm Pete couldn’t deny. Yet, when it came to retrofitting the property for energy efficiency, he found the process daunting and expensive. “It’s really difficult to retrofit an old terrace house,” he explains. The steep costs and disruption of upgrading the house, especially when dealing with the challenge of adding a heat pump or improving insulation, led Pete and Jane to consider alternative housing options. The couple also had specific desires for a bit more private outdoor space, which further steered their search towards sustainable housing that would meet both their environmental and personal needs.


When Pete encountered a one of the team from Citu at UKREiiF, the connection to the Stall development became clear. They had long enjoyed walking and running along the canal, so the prospect of living closer to that environment felt like a natural fit. “It fitted all that we wanted, and we’d much rather be here than in the centre of Leeds because it meant it wouldn’t be a big lifestyle change,” Pete shares. With this realization, Pete and Jane placed a deposit on a home Stall, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
The design of their new home was another draw. Pete highlights the dual-aspect feature of the house, which offers stunning views over the canal and the surrounding greenery. “The dual aspect is absolutely fantastic,” he says. The house, which looks out onto the canal and a wood behind, provides a deep connection to nature. Pete has been able to spot wildlife he wouldn’t normally encounter, including a kingfisher perched on a tree and even a possible otter or mink along the canal. The natural surroundings have transformed their living experience. “We’ve seen lots of plants, animals, and things I wouldn’t normally see,” he notes.
The home’s energy efficiency is another standout feature. Unlike their previous drafty house, this one maintains its heat, making it far easier to manage temperatures without relying on traditional, energy-consuming methods. “This house holds on to its heat,” Pete observes. Instead of cranking up the thermostat, the couple adjusts the temperature by taking advantage of natural heating sources within the home when needed. The design of the home also supports cooling in the summer, with a roof terrace and venting that allows hot air to rise and cooler air from the canal to flow in, naturally regulating the indoor temperature.
While the family is still adjusting to the dynamics of their new home, Pete appreciates the quieter environment and sense of community. “Living here has changed our family dynamic in that it’s quite a lot quieter in the house,” he says. The development’s proximity to nature and the thoughtful design of the homes have led Pete and Jane to feel truly settled in their new space. “We absolutely love living here, and we can’t see anything else we’d rather do or anywhere else we’d rather be,” Pete reflects.

The move to Stall has also allowed Pete and Jane to live more sustainably in their day-to-day lives. The couple cycles regularly, with Pete and Jane using bikes and trains for commuting, and their son cycling along the towpath into work. Their commitment to sustainability extends to their food sources as well, with organic vegetables delivered to their local partnership with Lilac and a regular order of whole foods through the Leeds Bread Co-Op. Additionally, Pete and Jane’s allotment up the hill allows them to grow their own produce, and Jane has embraced making most of their cleaning products from scratch. These sustainable practices, combined with their more energy-efficient home, have made Pete and Jane’s move to Stall a perfect fit for their values.
Pete’s experience of moving to Stall offers a glimpse into the benefits of living in a sustainable, community-centered development. For him and his family, the transition has been more than just a change of scenery—it’s a way of life that balances eco-conscious living with the comforts of home and community. They’ve found a place where they can create new memories while preserving the relationships and activities they hold dear.
“We don’t mourn the loss of our old house,” Pete concludes. “It had its purpose and made some lovely memories, but now it’s time for new ones.” And in their new home at Stall, Pete and Jane are certainly well on their way to building those new memories.