LEICESTER | General development discussion thread

[Leicity82]

This thread is to discuss the 'other' Leicester developments, such as those that are not in the city centre, smaller projects, student accommodation, not included in the masteplan, etc.

Please do not include major proposals/schemes or projects with their own threads on this thread

[danz013]

I think threads like this will really take live away from your main thread?

[Leicity82]

Originally Posted by danz013

I think threads like this will really take live away from your main thread?

Not really as this is for the many other little schemes that are dotted around the city and not included in the masterplan.

[Leicity82]

I'm going to start with the the proposed new apartments on Queen Street, to be built behind the Athena in the Cultural Quarter.

Permission has now been granted to demolish the existing 'Spa buildings' on the site, though no decision has yet been given about the actul building itself.

A seperate thread has been created for this now

[Lears City]

Originally Posted by rs06

I'm going to start with the the proposed new apartments on Queen Street, to be built behind the Athena in the Cultural Quarter.

Permission has now been granted to demolish the existing 'Spa buildings' on the site, though no decision has yet been given about the actul building itself.

The scheme will include apartments, retail and a restaurant/bar:

Source: LCC planning application no: 20070933

Surely this warrants a new thread. It is a big scheme.

[candida]

I can't picture where this is???

[Lears City]

Originally Posted by candida

I can't picture where this is???

The back of the Athena is on the right-hand side of the picture, so think opposite the Leicester PAC is Athena. The apartments are behind that.

[Leicity82]

Originally Posted by Lears City

Surely this warrants a new thread. It is a big scheme.

I've taken your advice and created a seperate thread for the new Queen Street scheme.

[braunstone geezer]

the proposed apartments on queen street are wicked

the civic twats want to keep the crappy old spa buildings and turn down this,
there mad, they need putting down, with baseball bats and il do it.

they aint a real society, there just wind up merchants like me surely, they cant honestly belive what they themselves are saying, there idiots propa dickheads

[Leicity82]

There's also been a new planning application added for 118 new apartments in a new building on the corner of Queen Street and St George Street (Architects are 'The Design Buro'):

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20071525

There are no planning documents as yet, though.

[Lears City]

I was looking for an image of Silver Arcade and found this. Looks a lot like our Silver Arcade. Anybody got any ideas?

Array Creatives Website

[Kurt Nirvana]

Rs06 – Great Idea to start this thread.

I was going to set it up this weekend, but you beat me to it!

I felt that there was nowhere on the EMSF to discuss Leicester topics which either wern't major or where non-building related.

It has become obvious that posting on the EM skybar only promots city rivalry.

[Leicity82]

Originally Posted by Lears City

I was looking for an image of Silver Arcade and found this. Looks a lot like our Silver Arcade. Anybody got any ideas?


Array Creatives Website

That was the render for Lukegate when they wanted to turn the building into one large store. However, due to the issue over the shop fronts and disabled access the plans were shelved a few years ago.

Originally Posted by Kurt Nirvana

Rs06 – Great Idea to start this thread.

I was going to set it up this weekend, but you beat me to it!

I felt that there was nowhere on the EMSF to discuss Leicester topics which either wern't major or where non-building related.

It has become obvious that posting on the EM skybar only promots city rivalry.

Sorry about beating you to it - I really wanted to include the Queen Street building somewhere.

[Leicity82]

The building on the corner of St Nicholas Place and Highcross Street (with the corner cafe, really old book shop and taxi office) is to be converted into a hotel. This application was approved and was put forward by the same person who has permission to covert the former Norwich Union building into a hotel on Halford Street:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20060644

[Leicity82]

Another develeopment on Granby Street/Calais Hill to convert the Fox and tiger pub and add a new 5 storey apartment block:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20071056

Decision yet to be made.


Conditional approval is also given to a six storey apartment block on Dover Street:
http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20070686

[Leicity82]

Apartment scheme on Great Central Street/Highcross Street granted conditional approval last year for an apartment block of three to eight storeys:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20041445

This was a controversial scheme (if anyone remembers) as the developer didn't want to include affordable housing in his scheme.

As far as I know nothing has happened on the site, apart from site clearance and the demolition of a few factories.

[Leicity82]

Originally Posted by rs06

Another develeopment on Granby Street/Calais Hill to convert the Fox and tiger pub and add a new 5 storey apartment block:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20071056

Decision yet to be made.

The decision is a refusal.

[Leicity82]

The development at the Fox and Tiger Pub on Granby Street, has actually been approved. I'm sure I read it was refused:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20071056

This is the render of the new building on Calais Hill:

Source: Leicester City Council website, planning application no: 20071056

[Leicity82]

This is the render for the approved office/roof top restaurant scheme on the corner of Charles Street/Church Street (opp. Colton Square):


Source: Leicester City Council website planning application no: 20062029

[Leicity82]

Mercury article about concerns over new housing in Belgrave, near the river:

HOMES PLAN IS OPPOSED

BY TOM PEGDEN

10:30 - 22 August 2007

Residents are opposing plans to build 193 homes near the River Soar, fearing it will attract more traffic to the area and could affect the local floodplain.

People living near the planned £25 million development have signed a petition and written letters to Leicester City Council raising their concerns.

Some say it will turn their quiet cul-de-sac into a through-route for the new homes at the back of the Bestway cash and carry, off Loughborough Road, in Belgrave, Leicester.

Others fear it could take up land on the Soar's floodplain and cause other areas to flood.

A spokesman for Bestway Holdings today said there were no plans to build on the floodplain.

He added traffic, environment and flooding assessments had been carried out and the development would add character to the area, promote regeneration as well as providing affordable homes.

The company wants to build 68 houses - most three and four bedroom - as well as 84 two-bedroom and 41 one-bedroom flats.

Among those concerned are bosses at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre, in Loughborough Road, who were recently denied planning permission for a new residential block because it would have been in the floodplain. Centre chairman Keith Tonks said: "We were surprised to see Bestway put in this application. I will be surprised if it goes through because it's by the floodplain.

"People need houses, and there is a shortage, but do you want green space and floodplains, or do you build everywhere. This amount of housing seems a lot in an area that might not be the right place for it."

Tom Morrison, 66, from Bath Street, said 40 people had signed a petition raising fears about traffic.

He said: "There's talk about opening this road up into the new estate and concern about heavy traffic.

"I'm not worried about the houses, just about opening up the road."

Neighbour May Buckley said: "It's bad enough with cars parked up here now. It's not a main road and I don't think it's fair."

Michael Adams, 58, from nearby Elsadene Avenue, said: "Parts of Britain have had massive problems this year with flooding and I consider it outrageous for a company to try and build houses here."

But Malcolm Carter, head of property at Bestway Holdings said they were not building on the floodplain, although talks had taken place with the Environment Agency to discuss what would happen during a major, one-in-100-year storm.

He said: "We have provided something in the order of 10 detailed, technical assessments, some looking at traffic, some environmental and some ecological looking at things such as trees."

Regarding Bath Street, he said there would be traffic controls in line with impact assessments. He said he was confident it would get permission and hoped work would start later this year.

Today, a city council spokeswoman said: "It's close to the plain, and we will be consulting the Environment Agency along with local residents and other local consultees."

Public consultation continues to September 4 and the application should go before a council planning committee in October.

Leicester Mercury website, August 22nd, 2007