LEICESTER | Full Summary of Projects - Page 6

bristolboy · August 22nd, 2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs06

I think that lady should have thought about what she said before saying what she said as it wasn't very fair.

People in Leicester have a habit of letting their city down and not seeing the great work happening; it often takes non-Leicester residents to see what is happening in Leicester, like yourself.

BTW I like the new Broadmead renders.

Are there any renders on the Bristol thread of the new Lux cinema there-I'm sure I read somewhere there is going to be one there???

Yes we are getting a Cinema De Lux but none of us down here have seen what the outside is going to look like as of yet here is a link to what it will look like from within the shopping area on the right of the pic.
http://www.bristolcitycentre.com/gal...?GalleryID=110

another view looking towards the department store
http://www.bristolcitycentre.com/gal...?GalleryID=111

and finally our Harvey Nichols store
http://www.bristolcitycentre.com/gal...?GalleryID=112

leicesterTowers · August 22nd, 2007, 10:58 AM

Wow those are great. In Leicester we're getting a Cinema de lux as well, so it would be interesting to see whats thats like on the inside.

As for the programme it may have told us what we already knew, but then all of us are interested in this, and go out of our way to find these things out.

For the UK public, it's great that they now know what's happening here, and what a great place Leicester is. I wonder if we have had more visitors because of this

Leicity82 · August 22nd, 2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bristolboy

Yes we are getting a Cinema De Lux but none of us down here have seen what the outside is going to look like as of yet here is a link to what it will look like from within the shopping area on the right of the pic.
http://www.bristolcitycentre.com/gal...?GalleryID=110

another view looking towards the department store
http://www.bristolcitycentre.com/gal...?GalleryID=111

and finally our Harvey Nichols store
http://www.bristolcitycentre.com/gal...?GalleryID=112

Those renders look great!

.

RE: PAC_MAN - that piece of land opposite the new Cinema on Vaughan Way is definitely prime land, especially being so close to the new Highcross scheme.

Does anyone think another luxury hotel could be built there? Or even a skyscraper-dare I say! The land seems to be large enough?

btw, wasn't nearby Kimberley House (Vaughan Way/Great Central Street corner) meant to be demolished a few years back and replaced with offices or something?

Kurt Nirvana · August 22nd, 2007, 06:04 PM

Did anyone else see this report in the Mercury about the new proposal to build a new eco-friendly town in Leicestershire, perhaps in Blaby DC?

BID TO BUILD AN ECO-TOWN
7 readers have commented on this story. Click here to read their views.

BY MARTIN ROBINSON
POLITICAL REPORTER

16 August 2007
A new eco-friendly town with up to 8,000 green homes could be built in Leicestershire.

Work on a community the size of Market Harborough, to house 20,000 residents, could be started in the next decade.

All properties would be powered by green energy, and have their own solar panels and wind turbines.

Shops and community resources, such as sports centres and schools, would also be built with environmentally-friendly gadgets.

The new homes may be tagged on to an existing urban area or village, or built as a new town.

Areas close to Leicester in Blaby or Charnwood districts, or land close to Coalville, Hinckley or Loughborough will be considered.

County council bosses announced today they were to apply for Government funding to transform one of the five earmarked areas with 5,000 to 8,000 houses.

Building work would have to start by 2016.

Council leader David Parsons said: "In Leicestershire, we have an ideal opportunity to build eco-houses and an eco-community.

"It has been made clear to us more houses are required for the county, so it would be excellent if one whole community could be made completely carbon neutral.

"We intend to pursue this idea and lodge a bid for funding, but the size of that development, or where it would be, has not been decided yet."

Government experts predict up to 55,000 new homes are needed in the county by 2016.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has said it will give cash towards five of these projects, with up to 20,000 homes across the country.

Up to half of these houses must be up for sale or rented out at affordable prices.

Green transport would have to be provided, including a comprehensive bus system and even a new railway station, depending on its location.

If the county's bid is successful, it would be mainly financed by developers.

Section 106 agreements, which force house-builders to improve transport and community facilities, would also be used.

Leicestershire's nearest eco-community is in neighbouring Northamptonshire.

The village of Upton, close to Northampton, had 1,200 homes built there, boasting the same green technology earmarked for any future project in the county.

A spokesman for Communities and Local Government said: "The key features we want to achieve are places with a separate and distinct identity, but with good links to surrounding towns and cities in terms of jobs, transport and services." Coalville resident Adam Holland said: "The term eco-friendly confuses me, but it is about time houses are built with green issues in mind.

"I would have no problem having a wind turbine and solar panels on my house. I would be interested to know where they could fit a community this big. Our roads struggle as it is."

Friends of the Earth has described the plans as a "green-wash".

Leicestershire spokesman Stephen Massey said: "We are very suspicious when the term eco-town is used, because it is rarely the case. We are not convinced any more homes are needed in the county.

"It is hypocritical for them to pursue this project, just weeks after announcing up to two new rubbish incinerators, which will cause damage to the environment.

"We fear this is something of a green-wash."

In Leicester, a project to build five blocks of eco-homes on the site of the former Abbey Park Road bus depot was shelved in June.

The £10 million development was delayed after designers Zedfactory were told they may no longer be needed.

Lears City · August 22nd, 2007, 06:14 PM

Yes did spot that one. An extra 20,000 residents in Blaby DC would add further growth to the Leicester urban area. You can justify including all of Blaby DC as part of urban Leicester and it currently has over 90,000 residents. This would rise to above 110,000 and would potentially boost the funds available for future regeneration.

Kurt Nirvana · August 22nd, 2007, 06:18 PM

I can’t speak for others, but my annoyance about the lady on the programme wasn’t that she was Asian, but that she was trying to highjack the programme to promote her own views.

I believe that the programme researchers went to her as a community leader, hoping to gain her views on the positive changes in our city and how it affects the community.

However, her views were very negative and one sided.

In my opinion all the changes are very positive (some more than others), and will improve the quality of life of the city & suburbs population.

If the changes brings more jobs, these will be for all people not matter their race or background.

To me Leicester a unique place and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

I welcome anybody who wants to move to our “melting pot” city whatever their nationality.

Kurt Nirvana · August 22nd, 2007, 06:20 PM

The majority of Blaby DC do live on the edge of the City. i.e. Blaby, Narborough, Whetsone, Enderby......... so should be included on the cities urban area.

Lears City · August 22nd, 2007, 06:28 PM

Guess what - most of Blaby DC is not included. So we appear to be a smaller city than we really are...

Leicity82 · August 22nd, 2007, 07:42 PM

Blaby DC? - that sound like a large US city, i.e Washington DC!

Kurt Nirvana · August 22nd, 2007, 09:37 PM

District Council

All their council vans have “Blaby DC” on their sides

Kurt Nirvana · August 22nd, 2007, 09:45 PM

With reference to the proposed new eco town, here's the Mercury opinion

MERCURY OPINION: CHALLENGE OF THIS NEW TOWN
Be the first reader to comment on this story

16 August 2007

The decision by Leicestershire County Council to seek Government funding to create a brand new, eco-friendly town the size of Market Harborough somewhere in the county is admirably ambitious, but not without its challenges. The Government is seeking bids from local authorities and the council sees the chance to meet a good chunk of its new housing target while at the same time building a community at the cutting edge of technology.

As this newspaper reports today, it is still not clear where this remarkable new town would be sited or whether it would be joined to an existing conurbation or allowed to stand alone. But all its 8,000-odd properties would use green energy and have their own solar panels and wind turbines.

Given the new emphasis on green homes, it makes good sense for the county's leaders to try this approach. There will be only five in the country, so not only would Leicestershire be getting the new housing it needed, there would be something of an attraction about the new town.

Inevitably, the greatest debate will be around where precisely this town will appear. There will be plenty ready to welcome the energy-saving concepts, but 8,000 homes and attendant traffic are not going to be welcomed in everyone's back yard.

A taste of success for city

The three new restaurants that will be opening in the expanded Shires complex are just a taste of how different this development is going to be for Leicester. Although YO! Sushi, Wagamama and the Handmade Burger Company will be familiar to anyone who has visited Britain's capital or one of our major cities, they are a brand new culture for us. Quite apart from the extra variety of tastes and flavours they offer, they also give us a good idea of the changes we can expect from the new types of shops opening in the Highcross Leicester centre next year. Highly-successful food chains do not open new places lightly. Each one of these new venues is a vote of confidence in the future of our city.

Kurt Nirvana · August 23rd, 2007, 08:25 AM

Letters to the Mercury regarding the proposed eco town. I don't think people like the idea!!

What we need is proper regeneration of our cities with decent homes for families instead of quick-buck apartments for non-existent trendies. No need for a new town - there is ample room for new housing in Leicester but lots of the regneration schemes have fallen through because they are the wrong sort of housing and the flats market bubble just popped.
Ben, Leicester

Being realistic, it is unlikely to be located in the Coalville area as their is no rail service. Remember how the City and County Council whinged over the rising cost of Phase 2 of the Ivanhoe Line and shelved it. If a railway station is a key part of the project then the places it can be built are very limited indeed. And as an eco-village/town, I take it as read that none of its residents will be allowed to have cars powered by fossil fuels, otherwise what's the point?
Olivier Lucy, Barwell

We don't need more houses. We need fewer people.
Mick Thompson, Leicester

We worked out how to build 'Ecohouses' 30 years ago - do we really have to wait until 2016 to see developers putting them up ? Also, looking at the prospective illustration here, for 'homes' - read 'flats' ?
John Stitch, Leicester

Building "a community the size of Market Harborough", "close to Leicester in Blaby or Charnwood districts, or land close to Coalville, Hinckley or Loughborough" sounds like bad news for the local environment in those areas, and let's face it, most of those people will be travelling by car - not good news for the local road network.
Mike, Anstey

Transport links are key for this proposed project, it must be on land adjacent to the rail network with the willingness to build a train station - as already pointed out the congested roads around the county can do without further traffic. Building green housing should not be seen as a 'special' project it must become the norm, the initial extra cost will soon be pulled back over the lifetime of the build by the dweller BUT of course this is of no interest to the buy to let investor!
J Dee, Leicester

"May no longer be needed" is developer-speak for "we don't think we can sell them" which rather agrees with Friends of the Earth's view that none of this is needed. Housing developers are the UK equivalent of oil barons and the government's housing need stats can hardly be trusted either. Who can we trust?
Ben, Leicester

PAC_MAN · August 23rd, 2007, 02:22 PM

Further news on the lee circle redevelopment, another good size highrise! but its flats?!

Quote:

OFFICE AND CAFE AMONG BUILDINGS PUT FORWARD
10:30 - 23 August 2007

Developers have put forward plans to build a 10-storey block of flats in a regeneration area of the city.

Pittsburgh Holdings wants to build 39 flats, an office and cafe in Wharf Street South, in the Lee Circle area of Leicester.

There would also be a 4.1 metre high wind turbine on the roof.

The Lee Circle area has been earmarked as a key regeneration site known as St George's North.

A vision of 1,700 family-friendly homes, green spaces and facilities within walking distance of the city centre was unveiled in 2004.

However, another development company, H Group, recently pulled out of plans to build hundreds of homes.

Leicester Regeneration Company says it still hopes the area will be redeveloped.

A £12 million project to transform the former BT exchange in Wharf Street South into 129 flats has been given the go-ahead.

It will be repaired and a two-storey extension added.

PAC_MAN · August 23rd, 2007, 02:25 PM

GREAT NEWS

Quote:

PLANS FOR SPEEDWAY STADIUM ARE UNVEILED

10:30 - 23 August 2007

Speedway supporters have unveiled plans to build a new stadium in Beaumont Leys.

The Leicester Lions Speedway Team could return to the city if the £2.5 million development is given the go-ahead.

The proposal is to build the stadium on council-owned land on Beaumont Park, close to the Leicester Leys leisure centre.

There would be a speedway track, facilities for mini-motos and a motorcycle training school.

Cyclists would be able to use a closed road circuit, mountain bike trail, BMX track and a cycle speedway track.

There would also be 12 five-a-side football pitches provided as part of the scheme.

Ken Naylor, chairman of the Speedway Supporters Club, said: "We're hoping to get speedway back into the city but not only that, to get something for the community as a whole.

"It will be something for the disadvantaged kids on the estate to do, and get the illegal motorcyclists off the streets.

"I have been fighting to get speedway back to Leicester for about 15 years. In the past we've had a negative response from the council regarding noise. But the noise from speedway has reduced by 85 per cent since speedway was here in the 1970s.

"We're hoping for a good response from the council this time, because there's so much on offer for the community.

"It would be most disappointing for the people of Leicester if it was turned down.

"Over the years we've lost sporting facilities in the city and this is a good chance for the council to put that right."

The proposals would put the speedway track furthest away from the nearest houses.

However, Councillor Patrick Kitterick, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The big question is how residents will react to this.

"It's not just a question of noise from the stadium, it's about possibly thousands of people turning up and parking in the area."

A business consortium is backing the plans to build the stadium and bring the Lions back to the city.

They are keen to get a league team in action in the city by March 2009.

Behind the plan are Kings Lynn promoter Jonathan Chapman, national leisure company Pro5 Soccer Centres and, in a minor role, S &P Architects, who are also involved in 2012 London Olympic planning.

The developers have shown a draft proposal to the city council for the sports project but have yet to submit a planning application.

Speedway was popular in Leicester for much of the last century and the city enjoyed many successes.

The Lions, based at Blackbird Road from 1968 until 1983, were runners-up in the British league in 1971 and National Cup finalists in 1975.

In 1983, the owners of the stadium sold the Blackbird Road site to house builders.

The consortium is inviting the community to come forward with their own ideas about what they would like to see at the centre.

Anyone wishing to see the project proposals and an exhibition of Leicester Speedway memorabilia is welcome to attend a Speedway Supporters Club event being held at Speedy Hire's premises in Blackbird Road, on Tuesday, August 28, at 7.45pm.

braunstone geezer · August 23rd, 2007, 03:04 PM

hopefully the flats in the wharf street area will be a new build, knocking down some of the shit that is there is now, id hate it if another crappy old building is converted in the area

SC051 · August 25th, 2007, 03:32 AM

Has anyone read this from the Leicester Council Website?:

As one bridge closes, another opens�

no: 393-07
date: 23rd August 2007

A CITY centre bridge to nowhere is to be dismantled this weekend. And on Monday, the bridge which links Castle Gardens to the riverside will be re-opened.

Council engineers will start work in the early hours of Sunday morning to take down the Charles Street footbridge.

The bridge was put up in 1973 to enable shoppers to cross over Charles Street from the Haymarket Shopping Centre, but has been out of use for several years.

Businesses near to the bridge had complained it was becoming a target for anti-social behaviour.

The Westbridge Place footbridge will be officially opened on Monday. The bridge, which is owned by William Davis Ltd, was closed in 2004 on safety grounds when the timber decking became unsafe.

Cllr Patrick Kitterick, the city councillor responsible for regeneration will perform the opening ceremony. He will be joined by Dave Camp, commercial director at William Davis.

Cllr Kitterick said: �I am absolutely delighted that this bridge is finally to be re-opened. It�s something that myself and my colleagues have been campaigning for, for a long time, and I�m pleased that William Davis have made this final push for us to get it open for the Castle Park Festival.

�The Charles Street footbridge has been a cause for concern for local people for a long time, and I�m glad that after many years of wrangling, the council�s new administration has been able to sort this out�.

William Davis will hand the bridge over to the city council now that the remedial works are complete. The council had asked William Davis to provide a new ramp and steps to give disabled people better access to the bridge, and this work has also been completed.

The bridge will be open to the public from Saturday. The official opening ceremony will take place during the Castle park family fun afternoon, at 1.45pm on Monday 27th August.

The removal of the Charles Street footbridge work will require the closure of Charles Street from the Humberstone Gate junction to approximately 15 metres north of Kildare Street.

The closure will take place from around 4am on Sunday 26th August. Engineers are aiming to have the bridge removed and the road opened by 10pm on Sunday.

Some good news!! The old Charles Street Bridge was an eyesore!!

Article link: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/newssite....asp?pgid=8029

SC051 · August 25th, 2007, 03:36 AM

Oh - I also found this:

Views sought on location for city's Christmas tree

408-07
24th August 2007

LEICESTER residents and shoppers are being asked for their views on where this year�s main city centre Christmas tree should be located.

Traditionally the tree has been placed next to the Clock Tower. However, last year an alternative location had to be found because of improvement works being carried out in the city centre. The tree was located on the large pedestrian area of Humberstone Gate West.

Now Leicester City Council wants to know where people would like to see the tree put up later this year.

Councillor Patrick Kitterick, Leicester City Council�s cabinet member for the city centre developments, said: �Although last year�s relocation was brought about because the traditional spot wasn�t available, I am aware that a number of people have now said they prefer the new location.

�It does seem a little early to be planning for Christmas, but we want to be sure we get the arrangements agreed and sorted out in plenty of time this year.�

The 15-metre high tree will be erected in late November and taken down immediately after Christmas.

The council has set up a page on its website where people can vote for their preferred spot. Simply log onto www.leicester.gov.uk/tree and vote.

The council will be taking a decision in September, so anyone with an interest has until the end of August to vote.

Lets all vote!!

I personally prefered the tree in the heart of the City Centre, next to the Clock Tower.

Vote Here:
http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-cou...tmas-tree-poll

braunstone geezer · August 25th, 2007, 11:04 AM

crap, where am i going to go to smoke crack now the charles street bridge is going?

i know, il use the new one being built on vaughn way

kewl news about the reopening of the bridge in castle park, i like jumping of that into the canal wen im pissed, no more having to climb over th wooden boards that were put up around the entrances

braunstone geezer · August 25th, 2007, 11:07 AM

ive got a suggestion for the xmas tree,

how about leave it in the ground, to grow in its natural habitat, instead of degrading it by throwing lites and tinsel all over its branches and leaving it to die slowley for two weeks, just so people can stare at it (like jesus, but without the lites and tinsel)

wen will people learn, a tree is for life, not just christmas

you bird displacing, tree murdering monkeys

philkeavo · August 25th, 2007, 07:16 PM

[QUOTE=Kurt Nirvana;14927669]I can’t speak for others, but my annoyance about the lady on the programme wasn’t that she was Asian, but that she was trying to highjack the programme to promote her own views.

I believe that the programme researchers went to her as a community leader, hoping to gain her views on the positive changes in our city and how it affects the community.

However, her views were very negative and one sided.

In my opinion all the changes are very positive (some more than others), and will improve the quality of life of the city & suburbs population.

If the changes brings more jobs, these will be for all people not matter their race or background.

You are on spot on Kurt, through my company I have supported the Peepul centre but not anymore. They are bunch of 'self interest' numpties who have a wonderfully facility that is being run into the ground by rank amateurs. I hate this 'nothing for us' chip on her shoulder attitude. She does not speak for the Asians, Blacks or any other minority community.

August 22nd, 2007, 07:42 PM	#109
Leicity82 Leicester - why not? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: City of Leicester, UK Posts: 8,478 Likes (Received): 6	Blaby DC? - that sound like a large US city, i.e Washington DC! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~New Leicester Blog ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Come on Leicester lurkers, join the forum!

August 25th, 2007, 11:04 AM	#118
braunstone geezer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,244 Likes (Received): 0	crap, where am i going to go to smoke crack now the charles street bridge is going? i know, il use the new one being built on vaughn way kewl news about the reopening of the bridge in castle park, i like jumping of that into the canal wen im pissed, no more having to climb over th wooden boards that were put up around the entrances Last edited by braunstone geezer; August 25th, 2007 at 11:04 AM. Reason: im so bored

August 25th, 2007, 11:07 AM	#119
braunstone geezer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,244 Likes (Received): 0	ive got a suggestion for the xmas tree, how about leave it in the ground, to grow in its natural habitat, instead of degrading it by throwing lites and tinsel all over its branches and leaving it to die slowley for two weeks, just so people can stare at it (like jesus, but without the lites and tinsel) wen will people learn, a tree is for life, not just christmas you bird displacing, tree murdering monkeys Last edited by braunstone geezer; August 25th, 2007 at 11:10 AM. Reason: how about i get an axe and cut ur bloody legs off

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August 22nd, 2007, 10:58 AM	#102
leicesterTowers Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 90 Likes (Received): 0	Wow those are great. In Leicester we're getting a Cinema de lux as well, so it would be interesting to see whats thats like on the inside. As for the programme it may have told us what we already knew, but then all of us are interested in this, and go out of our way to find these things out. For the UK public, it's great that they now know what's happening here, and what a great place Leicester is. I wonder if we have had more visitors because of this

August 22nd, 2007, 06:04 PM	#104
Kurt Nirvana ooya bleeder! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEICESTER Posts: 482 Likes (Received): 0	Did anyone else see this report in the Mercury about the new proposal to build a new eco-friendly town in Leicestershire, perhaps in Blaby DC? BID TO BUILD AN ECO-TOWN 7 readers have commented on this story. Click here to read their views. BY MARTIN ROBINSON POLITICAL REPORTER 16 August 2007 A new eco-friendly town with up to 8,000 green homes could be built in Leicestershire. Work on a community the size of Market Harborough, to house 20,000 residents, could be started in the next decade. All properties would be powered by green energy, and have their own solar panels and wind turbines. Shops and community resources, such as sports centres and schools, would also be built with environmentally-friendly gadgets. The new homes may be tagged on to an existing urban area or village, or built as a new town. Areas close to Leicester in Blaby or Charnwood districts, or land close to Coalville, Hinckley or Loughborough will be considered. County council bosses announced today they were to apply for Government funding to transform one of the five earmarked areas with 5,000 to 8,000 houses. Building work would have to start by 2016. Council leader David Parsons said: "In Leicestershire, we have an ideal opportunity to build eco-houses and an eco-community. "It has been made clear to us more houses are required for the county, so it would be excellent if one whole community could be made completely carbon neutral. "We intend to pursue this idea and lodge a bid for funding, but the size of that development, or where it would be, has not been decided yet." Government experts predict up to 55,000 new homes are needed in the county by 2016. The Department for Communities and Local Government has said it will give cash towards five of these projects, with up to 20,000 homes across the country. Up to half of these houses must be up for sale or rented out at affordable prices. Green transport would have to be provided, including a comprehensive bus system and even a new railway station, depending on its location. If the county's bid is successful, it would be mainly financed by developers. Section 106 agreements, which force house-builders to improve transport and community facilities, would also be used. Leicestershire's nearest eco-community is in neighbouring Northamptonshire. The village of Upton, close to Northampton, had 1,200 homes built there, boasting the same green technology earmarked for any future project in the county. A spokesman for Communities and Local Government said: "The key features we want to achieve are places with a separate and distinct identity, but with good links to surrounding towns and cities in terms of jobs, transport and services." Coalville resident Adam Holland said: "The term eco-friendly confuses me, but it is about time houses are built with green issues in mind. "I would have no problem having a wind turbine and solar panels on my house. I would be interested to know where they could fit a community this big. Our roads struggle as it is." Friends of the Earth has described the plans as a "green-wash". Leicestershire spokesman Stephen Massey said: "We are very suspicious when the term eco-town is used, because it is rarely the case. We are not convinced any more homes are needed in the county. "It is hypocritical for them to pursue this project, just weeks after announcing up to two new rubbish incinerators, which will cause damage to the environment. "We fear this is something of a green-wash." In Leicester, a project to build five blocks of eco-homes on the site of the former Abbey Park Road bus depot was shelved in June. The £10 million development was delayed after designers Zedfactory were told they may no longer be needed.

August 22nd, 2007, 06:14 PM	#105
Lears City Look there, look there! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Leicester Posts: 5,902 Likes (Received): 11	Yes did spot that one. An extra 20,000 residents in Blaby DC would add further growth to the Leicester urban area. You can justify including all of Blaby DC as part of urban Leicester and it currently has over 90,000 residents. This would rise to above 110,000 and would potentially boost the funds available for future regeneration.

August 22nd, 2007, 06:18 PM	#106
Kurt Nirvana ooya bleeder! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEICESTER Posts: 482 Likes (Received): 0	I can’t speak for others, but my annoyance about the lady on the programme wasn’t that she was Asian, but that she was trying to highjack the programme to promote her own views. I believe that the programme researchers went to her as a community leader, hoping to gain her views on the positive changes in our city and how it affects the community. However, her views were very negative and one sided. In my opinion all the changes are very positive (some more than others), and will improve the quality of life of the city & suburbs population. If the changes brings more jobs, these will be for all people not matter their race or background. To me Leicester a unique place and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I welcome anybody who wants to move to our “melting pot” city whatever their nationality.

August 22nd, 2007, 06:20 PM	#107
Kurt Nirvana ooya bleeder! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEICESTER Posts: 482 Likes (Received): 0	The majority of Blaby DC do live on the edge of the City. i.e. Blaby, Narborough, Whetsone, Enderby......... so should be included on the cities urban area.

August 22nd, 2007, 06:28 PM	#108
Lears City Look there, look there! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Leicester Posts: 5,902 Likes (Received): 11	Guess what - most of Blaby DC is not included. So we appear to be a smaller city than we really are...

August 22nd, 2007, 09:37 PM	#110
Kurt Nirvana ooya bleeder! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEICESTER Posts: 482 Likes (Received): 0	District Council All their council vans have “Blaby DC” on their sides

August 22nd, 2007, 09:45 PM	#111
Kurt Nirvana ooya bleeder! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEICESTER Posts: 482 Likes (Received): 0	With reference to the proposed new eco town, here's the Mercury opinion *MERCURY OPINION: CHALLENGE OF THIS NEW TOWN* Be the first reader to comment on this story 16 August 2007 The decision by Leicestershire County Council to seek Government funding to create a brand new, eco-friendly town the size of Market Harborough somewhere in the county is admirably ambitious, but not without its challenges. The Government is seeking bids from local authorities and the council sees the chance to meet a good chunk of its new housing target while at the same time building a community at the cutting edge of technology. As this newspaper reports today, it is still not clear where this remarkable new town would be sited or whether it would be joined to an existing conurbation or allowed to stand alone. But all its 8,000-odd properties would use green energy and have their own solar panels and wind turbines. Given the new emphasis on green homes, it makes good sense for the county's leaders to try this approach. There will be only five in the country, so not only would Leicestershire be getting the new housing it needed, there would be something of an attraction about the new town. Inevitably, the greatest debate will be around where precisely this town will appear. There will be plenty ready to welcome the energy-saving concepts, but 8,000 homes and attendant traffic are not going to be welcomed in everyone's back yard. A taste of success for city The three new restaurants that will be opening in the expanded Shires complex are just a taste of how different this development is going to be for Leicester. Although YO! Sushi, Wagamama and the Handmade Burger Company will be familiar to anyone who has visited Britain's capital or one of our major cities, they are a brand new culture for us. Quite apart from the extra variety of tastes and flavours they offer, they also give us a good idea of the changes we can expect from the new types of shops opening in the Highcross Leicester centre next year. Highly-successful food chains do not open new places lightly. Each one of these new venues is a vote of confidence in the future of our city.

August 23rd, 2007, 08:25 AM	#112
Kurt Nirvana ooya bleeder! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEICESTER Posts: 482 Likes (Received): 0	Letters to the Mercury regarding the proposed eco town. I don't think people like the idea!! What we need is proper regeneration of our cities with decent homes for families instead of quick-buck apartments for non-existent trendies. No need for a new town - there is ample room for new housing in Leicester but lots of the regneration schemes have fallen through because they are the wrong sort of housing and the flats market bubble just popped. Ben, Leicester Being realistic, it is unlikely to be located in the Coalville area as their is no rail service. Remember how the City and County Council whinged over the rising cost of Phase 2 of the Ivanhoe Line and shelved it. If a railway station is a key part of the project then the places it can be built are very limited indeed. And as an eco-village/town, I take it as read that none of its residents will be allowed to have cars powered by fossil fuels, otherwise what's the point? Olivier Lucy, Barwell We don't need more houses. We need fewer people. Mick Thompson, Leicester We worked out how to build 'Ecohouses' 30 years ago - do we really have to wait until 2016 to see developers putting them up ? Also, looking at the prospective illustration here, for 'homes' - read 'flats' ? John Stitch, Leicester Building "a community the size of Market Harborough", "close to Leicester in Blaby or Charnwood districts, or land close to Coalville, Hinckley or Loughborough" sounds like bad news for the local environment in those areas, and let's face it, most of those people will be travelling by car - not good news for the local road network. Mike, Anstey Transport links are key for this proposed project, it must be on land adjacent to the rail network with the willingness to build a train station - as already pointed out the congested roads around the county can do without further traffic. Building green housing should not be seen as a 'special' project it must become the norm, the initial extra cost will soon be pulled back over the lifetime of the build by the dweller BUT of course this is of no interest to the buy to let investor! J Dee, Leicester "May no longer be needed" is developer-speak for "we don't think we can sell them" which rather agrees with Friends of the Earth's view that none of this is needed. Housing developers are the UK equivalent of oil barons and the government's housing need stats can hardly be trusted either. Who can we trust? Ben, Leicester

August 23rd, 2007, 03:04 PM	#115
braunstone geezer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,244 Likes (Received): 0	hopefully the flats in the wharf street area will be a new build, knocking down some of the shit that is there is now, id hate it if another crappy old building is converted in the area

August 25th, 2007, 03:32 AM	#116
SC051 Watching Leicester Change Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 163 Likes (Received): 0	Has anyone read this from the Leicester Council Website?: As one bridge closes, another opens� no: 393-07 date: 23rd August 2007 A CITY centre bridge to nowhere is to be dismantled this weekend. And on Monday, the bridge which links Castle Gardens to the riverside will be re-opened. Council engineers will start work in the early hours of Sunday morning to take down the Charles Street footbridge. The bridge was put up in 1973 to enable shoppers to cross over Charles Street from the Haymarket Shopping Centre, but has been out of use for several years. Businesses near to the bridge had complained it was becoming a target for anti-social behaviour. The Westbridge Place footbridge will be officially opened on Monday. The bridge, which is owned by William Davis Ltd, was closed in 2004 on safety grounds when the timber decking became unsafe. Cllr Patrick Kitterick, the city councillor responsible for regeneration will perform the opening ceremony. He will be joined by Dave Camp, commercial director at William Davis. Cllr Kitterick said: �I am absolutely delighted that this bridge is finally to be re-opened. It�s something that myself and my colleagues have been campaigning for, for a long time, and I�m pleased that William Davis have made this final push for us to get it open for the Castle Park Festival. �The Charles Street footbridge has been a cause for concern for local people for a long time, and I�m glad that after many years of wrangling, the council�s new administration has been able to sort this out�. William Davis will hand the bridge over to the city council now that the remedial works are complete. The council had asked William Davis to provide a new ramp and steps to give disabled people better access to the bridge, and this work has also been completed. The bridge will be open to the public from Saturday. The official opening ceremony will take place during the Castle park family fun afternoon, at 1.45pm on Monday 27th August. The removal of the Charles Street footbridge work will require the closure of Charles Street from the Humberstone Gate junction to approximately 15 metres north of Kildare Street. The closure will take place from around 4am on Sunday 26th August. Engineers are aiming to have the bridge removed and the road opened by 10pm on Sunday. Some good news!! The old Charles Street Bridge was an eyesore!! Article link: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/newssite....asp?pgid=8029

August 25th, 2007, 03:36 AM	#117
SC051 Watching Leicester Change Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 163 Likes (Received): 0	Oh - I also found this: Views sought on location for city's Christmas tree 408-07 24th August 2007 LEICESTER residents and shoppers are being asked for their views on where this year�s main city centre Christmas tree should be located. Traditionally the tree has been placed next to the Clock Tower. However, last year an alternative location had to be found because of improvement works being carried out in the city centre. The tree was located on the large pedestrian area of Humberstone Gate West. Now Leicester City Council wants to know where people would like to see the tree put up later this year. Councillor Patrick Kitterick, Leicester City Council�s cabinet member for the city centre developments, said: �Although last year�s relocation was brought about because the traditional spot wasn�t available, I am aware that a number of people have now said they prefer the new location. �It does seem a little early to be planning for Christmas, but we want to be sure we get the arrangements agreed and sorted out in plenty of time this year.� The 15-metre high tree will be erected in late November and taken down immediately after Christmas. The council has set up a page on its website where people can vote for their preferred spot. Simply log onto www.leicester.gov.uk/tree and vote. The council will be taking a decision in September, so anyone with an interest has until the end of August to vote. Lets all vote!! I personally prefered the tree in the heart of the City Centre, next to the Clock Tower. Vote Here: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-cou...tmas-tree-poll

August 25th, 2007, 07:16 PM	#120
philkeavo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,094 Likes (Received): 0	[QUOTE=Kurt Nirvana;14927669]I can’t speak for others, but my annoyance about the lady on the programme wasn’t that she was Asian, but that she was trying to highjack the programme to promote her own views. I believe that the programme researchers went to her as a community leader, hoping to gain her views on the positive changes in our city and how it affects the community. However, her views were very negative and one sided. In my opinion all the changes are very positive (some more than others), and will improve the quality of life of the city & suburbs population. If the changes brings more jobs, these will be for all people not matter their race or background. You are on spot on Kurt, through my company I have supported the Peepul centre but not anymore. They are bunch of 'self interest' numpties who have a wonderfully facility that is being run into the ground by rank amateurs. I hate this 'nothing for us' chip on her shoulder attitude. She does not speak for the Asians, Blacks or any other minority community.