<P> Slum clearance and rebuilding began in Leeds during the Inter-war period when over 18,000 houses were built by the council on 24 estates in Cross Gates, Middleton, Gipton, Belle Isle and Halton Moor . The slums of Quarry Hill were replaced by the innovative Quarry Hill flats, which were demolished in 1975 . Another 36,000 houses were built by private sector builders, creating suburbs in Gledhow, Moortown, Alwoodley, Roundhay, Colton, Whitkirk, Oakwood, Weetwood, and Adel . After 1949 a further 30,000 sub-standard houses were demolished by the council and replaced by 151 medium - rise and high - rise blocks of council flats in estates at Seacroft, Armley Heights, Tinshill, and Brackenwood . </P> <P> Leeds has seen great expenditure on regenerating the city, attracting in investments and flagship projects, as found in Leeds city centre . Many developments boasting luxurious penthouse apartments have been built close to the city centre . </P> <P> Leeds is located 190 miles (310 km) north - northwest of London, on the valley of the River Aire in the eastern foothills of the Pennines . The city centre lies in a narrow section of the Aire Valley at about 206 feet (63 m) above sea level; while the district ranges from 1,115 feet (340 m) in the far west on the slopes of Ilkley Moor to about 33 feet (10 m) where the rivers Aire and Wharfe cross the eastern boundary . The centre of Leeds is part of a continuously built - up area extending to Pudsey, Bramley, Horsforth, Alwoodley, Seacroft, Middleton and Morley . </P> <P> Leeds has the second highest population of any local authority district in the UK (after Birmingham), and the second greatest area of any English metropolitan district (after Doncaster), extending 15 miles (24 km) from east to west, and 13 miles (21 km) from north to south . The northern boundary follows the River Wharfe for several miles, but it crosses the river to include the part of Otley which lies north of the river . </P>

Is leeds in the north west or north east