There will be an update on progress concerning the Waterside Development.
Minutes:
Senior Project Manager David Beale gave an update on the Waterside Development. Points included:
· Construction was taking place between Fosse Ward and the city centre.
· There were four buildings in the in the Great Central Square complex. Two hotels were nearing completion and due to formally open from January 2020. An office building had received strong interest from prospective occupiers and projected to create 250-300 jobs. The former Great Central station building would become a bowling alley with food and beverage outlets. The buildings would be linked by a new public square and the pedestrianisation of part of Great Central Street.
· A high-quality walking and cycle route would lead to the complex from Woodgate.
· The land around Northgate Street owned by Leicester City Council was being developed with Keepmoat Homes for housing and offices.
· Wilkin Jones were developing student accommodation in Bath Lane.
· Wullcomb had completed an apartment block adjacent to John Lewis’ Multi-Storey Car Park and 200 of 300 apartments had been let.
· The Regeneration process had begun in 2015 and there was now £250,000,000 of private investment in the city.
In response to a query about the development of railway arches in the ward, David Beale responded that they were owned by Charles Street Buildings who were now discussing a further commercial scheme on top of the viaduct structure and the developer may consider as part of the scheme whether the use of the arches could be improved at the same time.
A resident reported racist graffiti in the area surrounding the railway arches. Action: City Warden to investigate.
Responding to a query about the Repton Street site, David Beale reported that explained that the land was in private ownership with three separate interests and confirmed that the development was still dependent on the land being elevated and that there were interdependencies with the Environment Agency’s (EA) work to reduce flood risk. He further explained that the EA strategy was still under development and once fixed the Council would re-engage with the landowners.
Regarding a query about the Richard Roberts site and surrounding area, David Beale reported that a planning application was lodged for an 8-storey apartment building, but this had since been withdrawn as they were advised that it was too high.
The All Saints’ Place site had planning consent for 70 apartments approximately 5 storeys high.
Leicester City Council (LCC) owned two parcels of land with frontage to All Saints Open - The contractor compound which had accommodated the Winvic cabins, and 65 Great Central Street. Development options for this land were being considered. The land between LCC’s ownership and the Great Central Square scheme was in the ownership of a developer working up a large residential proposal.
In response to a question on the Concrete Works site. David Beale explained that LCC owned the island and were working with Breedon Aggregates to bring the use to an end within approximately 12 months.
A resident raised concern that no medical centres were planned in the residential developments. David Beale explained that it is difficult for the Clinical Commissioning Group to provide new facilities far in advance, but they would seek to respond to new demand as a new population became established. Action: Representative from the CCG to be invited to the next Ward meeting.