Agenda item

Director of Planning Development and Transport submits a presentation on Development Areas in the Heart of Leicester Plan.  

The Director of Planning Development and Transport gave a presentation on Development Areas in the Heart of Leicester Plan.  Key points to note were as follows:

• New housing developments were considered beneficial to Leicester’s retail centre.
• A summary of developments within the arc was given as follows:

Waterside

• The Waterside development was secured via a Compulsory Purchase Order.
• The scheme had been under development for a decade and had reached a midway point.
• Funding had largely come from central government funding of £25m.
• £300m of private investment had been generated through the scheme.
• The development included various types of buildings including rental houses and houses for sale, student accommodation, private office space and leisure facilities.
• The scheme was nationally recognised for best practice and was referenced as a case study for devolution.
• The private sector was responding to emerging opportunities.
• Development was around half-way through completion.

East City

• St Margarets Bus Station had been a significant development for the city.
• Planning permission was secured for around 100 units at the newly obtained Corah site.
• Plans were underway for apartments in the Churchgate area.
• It was noted that there was currently a national hiatus in the apartment sector, with construction issues and industry costs cited as the main causes. A stock of schemes was awaited.

Lee circle

• Fleet House had been completed recently and provided housing accommodation. A second phase was well advanced.
• Student accommodation had been completed at the former International Hotel. It was noted that this would increase city footfall.
• The Phoenix extension was now complete with a rooftop garden.

St Georges

o   The street pedestrian scheme and improvements to the highway scheme would aid regeneration of surrounding land.

In discussions with members, the following was noted:

• The Commission commended the success of the Waterside development and recognised the efforts to achieve pleasant aesthetics. It was noted that flooding measures had been a key design consideration.
• The Waterside compulsory purchase order was funded through the £25m government grant. The Council had been responsible for acquiring land, appointing a development partner and cost capping. The land was then sold to the developer at full market value.
• The matter of stalled apartment developments was a national issue which linked with Bond Markets.
• The Heart of Leicester Plan would help to increase investor confidence.

Workspace investments gave a positive outlook.

• Proposals were in place with Homes England to draw down more housing funding.
• Waterside had created a mixed community and there was now a school in place.
• It was noted that a significant number of families were residing within the city centre. If demand for larger apartments were to emerge, development could be considered.
• Commission members raised highways issues around the areas of Frog Island and Woodgate. Investment into the green bus fleet was noted.
• Agencies preferred proposals with scope for large development.
• Work was still being considered within the Fosse Ward and conversations with landowners was ongoing. Compulsory Purchase Orders tended to be lengthy processes and required funding.

AGREED:

1)    That the presentation be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account.