LEICESTERSHIRE BUILDER February 2023

BUILDER

USEFUL INFORMATION & ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR BUILDERS

FEBRUARY 2023

Leicestershire architects masterplan new Whetstone homes development

IMA Architects (IMA), an architectural firm based on Lutterworth Road in Blaby, Leicester, has partnered with Jessup Partnerships on a new housing scheme that will deliver 49 new homes in Whetstone.

Work is now underway at the site, located on Cambridge Road. When completed, the development will consist of a range of onebedroom apartments and maisonettes as well as two-and-threebedroom houses. The project comes as a result of the continued high demand for smaller new homes in this area of Leicester.

Previously a brownfield site in the form of a car park, the scheme will transform the land into a residential hub that’s aesthetically pleasing, attracting new families, and working professionals to the area. Once complete, the new buildings will have feature brickwork panels on the front of each property, elevating the design to create an attractive place to live.

Working closely with Jessup Partnerships, IMA will provide architecture services, act as the principal designer and masterplan the entire site.

Substantial Block of Interlinked Properties in Leicester City Centre For Sale By Auction on 15th February

KAL SANGRA SHONKI BROTHERS

Estate Agents are offering for sale BY AUCTION a block of four interlinked four-storey buildings with basements, on the corner of Friar Lane and Grey Friars in Leicester City Centre.

COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT

OnbehalfofLeicesterCityCouncil

The properties: 1, 3, 5 & 7 Grey Friars Leicester LE1 5PH - are being offered on behalf of Leicester City Council.

Location: ThepropertyissituatedinLeicester'smostfamousandhistorical locationwiththediscoveryofRichardIII.Itislocatedinthecitycentre onthecornerofFriarLaneandGreyFriarsandneartoLeicester Cathedral,KingRichardIIIVisitorCentreandStMartins.

The 51,139 sq.ft. property is Grade II Listed, and was previously used as offices. There is a large car park/land on a site area of 0.733 acres.

Description: Asubstantialblockof4interlinked4storeypropertieswithbasements totallingapproximately51,139sqftandalargecarpark/landonasite areaof0.733acres.ThepropertyispartGradeIIListedandwas previouslyusedasoffices.Thereispotentialforotherusessubjectto planning.

Planning:

The selling agents belive that this property has potential for alternative uses, for example community/educational, residential, etc., subject to planning.

• Existingofficeuse. • Potentialforalternativeusesi.e.community/educational,residential etcsubjecttoplanning. • LocalAuthority:LeicesterCityCouncil(0116)4541000. Tenure: Freehold.

For sale BY AUCTION (Behind Closed Doors) on Wednesday 15th February 2023, starting at 2.30pm. The Guide price is £4 million to £4.1 million.

For more information, visit the website at www.shonkibrothers.com

ROOF

ROOF GLAZING

All your roof glazing requirements from the industry’s top manufacturers

Giovanni Corbo (Jessup Partnerships) and Jack Mellor (IMA Architects).

Final consultation stage for Leicester’s Local Plan

A FINAL consultation is taking place on Leicester’s Local Plan.

A Local Plan shows how local authorities propose to organise and allow development through the planning process for the next 15 years. It is a legal requirement that all authorities draw up and adopt a Local Plan.

As part of the process of adopting a new plan in Leicester, three consultations have already been carried out. Initial options were consulted on in 2014, before a further consultation in 2017 looked at possible sites in the city that could be allocated for future development. A consultation in 2020 set out draft policies and recommended sites that could be developed to meet Government targets, which have increased considerably over the course of preparing for a new Local Plan. Feedback has been gathered from these consultations and incorporated into the latest Local Plan. Other factors have also been taken into account, such as changing legislation and the need to incorporate key local policies on topics such as health, heritage, biodiversity and climate change.

As a result, some proposed development sites for the new Local Plan have been removed or modified. Changes have also been made to increase the number of homes that will be built on brownfield sites and in the city centre.

The overall housing need for Leicester between 2020 and 2036 is 39,424 homes in total, which includes homes already completed and existing planning permissions. In terms of new site allocations, 6,668 (71%) homes are proposed on brownfield sites in the city, with 2,686 (29%) planned on greenfield sites.

The Plan is supported by an agreement with councils in Leicestershire – known as a statement of common ground – which will form a key part of Leicester’s Local Plan. This means 18,700 of the total 39,424 homes the Government says Leicester needs to build by 2036 will be built on land outside of the city’s boundaries. In addition, around 23 hectares of employment land - from a total requirement of 65 hectareswill be allocated outside of the city, on behalf of Leicester.

This final consultation stage seeks views only on whether the council has followed the correct legal and procedural requirements and developed a ‘sound’ plan that has been positively prepared and justified, is effective, and is consistent with national policy. It will also check the council has co-operated effectively with key stakeholders in developing its strategies and policies.

Responses received on these aspects of the plan and process will be sent to the Secretary of State to be reviewed by the Government’s appointed Planning Inspector at an Examination in Public to be held later this year.

The consultation will run from 16th January until 27th February 2023.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This is the final stage of consultation on our proposed Local Plan before it goes to the planning inspector.

“People have had many chances to give their opinions on the emerging Plan in previous consultations, and we have made changes as a result, including withdrawing some sites for potential development and increasing the amount of development we intend for brownfield sites.

“That phase of consultation is now complete, and this phase focuses on ensuring we have met the correct criteria in the way we have developed the plan.

“While we have been doing this, the Government increased our housing need by 35%, adding a further 9,712 homes to our need between 2020 and 2036. In March 2022, it then published more new data which increased housing need in the city by a further 2,800 homes, raising our overall housing need for Leicester between 2020 and 2036 to 39,424 homes in total.

“It has been a great challenge incorporating these targets, as well as changing legislation, against a backdrop of the covid pandemic. Thankfully, the support and cooperation of our neighbouring local authorities means we can now move ahead with a plan that will give us all local control over where and how development takes place.”

Leicester’s emerging Local Plan will run to 2036.

To find out more, visit https:// consultations.leicester.gov.uk/sec/ local-plan

Addison Hunt looks back on successful year as it sets sights on 2023

CHARTERED quantity surveyor and project managers, Addison Hunt, is reflecting on a year of success with key milestones reached and sets sights on further growth in 2023.

Founded in 2016 and led by directors Chris Hunt and Simon Collin, the firm – which has a head office in Loughborough - delivers its services on multimillion-pound projects nationwide in a range of sectors including education, residential, healthcare, commercial and industrial.

Currently in the last quarter of its financial year, Addison Hunt secured and delivered a strong portfolio of work in 2022 – increasing its turnover by 30% compared to 2021.

Addison Hunt completed a number of key projects, including the award-winning Abbey Meadows residential development in Leicester, which won ‘Residential Regeneration Project of the Year’ at the East Midlands Property Dinner Awards 2022. Other projects completed include a new pre-school, trade desk park and laboratory facility. Work is currently getting underway on mixed-use development Granite Way and an office refurbishment for the Liversage Trust.

These projects were delivered alongside Addison Hunt’s work supporting contractors and sub-contractors with estimating and post contract QS services.

To support its pipeline of work, apprentice Matt Worthy and senior quantity surveyors Hannah Vasey and Kym Godward-Large have recently joined the company.

The new hires will be supporting and working across a number of projects within Addison Hunt’s portfolio, which has expanded its services into the bank monitoring sector and plans to secure further projects within the public sector in 2023.

Chris Hunt, director at Addison Hunt, said: “Looking back on 2022, I am proud of all we have achieved and to be starting the year on positive results for the business is fantastic for us.

“Addison Hunt was created to be known for providing a high quality and personable service and our expansion is testament to just that and everyone’s hard work. We are committed to developing and growing the team and business, having recently invested in specialist software to help us work more efficiently for our clients.

“Simon and I would like to thank all our employees, for their hard work and dedication, and our clients for their continued support. The number of repeat clients and value of secured work for 2023 is particularly pleasing.”

To find out more information about Addison Hunt and its projects, please visit: https://addisonhunt.co.uk

Leicester City

URBANITE (LEICESTER)

LIMITED – (c/o Agent: Miss Emma Bilton, QUOD, Capitol House, Bond Court, Leeds) - Change of use from retail to student accommodation comprising 13 flats and installation of a dormer - at 176-178 Highcross Street, Leicester LE1 4PL.

RUMRATE LIMITED (c/o Agent: Antony AspburyPlanning Limited, 20 Park Lane Business centre, Park Lane, Nottingham NG8 0DW) – Conversion and change of use, with roof level extensions, of Waterloo House and regent House from office use to purpose built student accommodation and the construction of a new purpose built student accommodation block –at Waterloo House, Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TR together with Regent House, 80 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7NH plus land south of Regent Road between Tigers Way and West Street.

HICARE INVESTMENTS (c/o Agent: rgp Limited, Waterloo House, 71 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TR) – Development of 4 two-bedroom apartments with associated car parking and landscaping – at land adjacent to Meadow Court, Old Church Street, Church Street, Leicester.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Richard Sykes, Sykes Planning Limited, Lower Farm, The Common, Corley Moor, Coventry CV7 8AR)

– Change of use of first, second and third floors from retail and associated office space to one onebedroom flat and 18 studio flatsat 137 Harrison Road, Leicester.

AQSA INVESTMENTS LIMITED

(c/o Agent: Mr Muhammad Imtiaz, Architecture 365 Limited, 20 Lynmouth Road, Leicester LE5 1NA)

– Demolition of single storey garage at side, change of use of part of ground and first floor from storage and one flat above to 4 flats plus dormer extension to front and two storey extension to side – at 25 Guthridge Crescent, Leicester LE3 1JL.

BARRATT HOMES NORTH

MIDLANDS (c/o Agent: Eleanor Overton, Pegasus Group, 4 The Courtyard, Lockington, Derby DE74 2SL) – Erection of 76 dwellings and associated infrastructure –at land between Somerset Avenue and Heacham Drive, Leicester (formerly known as Blackbird Road Playing Fields) – Phase 3 of the City Heights Development.

S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction PMI®

Construction activity falls for first time since last August as new orders decline

THE UK’S CONSTRUCTION sector recorded a fall in business activity during December, ending a threemonth sequence of growth, with the rate of decline the fastest since May 2020.

A similar trend was observed for new orders, which saw a renewed fall that was the strongest for over two-and-a-half years.

Concurrently, sentiment amongst firms towards the yearahead outlook for activity dipped into negative territory for only the sixth time on record, reflecting fears around the near-term economic outlook. Pessimistic expectations were reflected in the first round of job shedding in the construction sector since January 2021.

At 48.8 in December, down from 50.4 in November, the headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) –which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – registered below the 50.0 mark to signal the first contraction in construction sector output since last August.

Although commercial construction activity continued to rise in the final month of the year, the rate of contraction eased to the slowest in the current four-month sequence and was only fractional overall (index at 50.3).

As such, the uplift in the commercial sector was outweighed by contractions across the residential and civil engineering sectors in December. Housing activity declined for the first time since last July and only marginally (48.0), while civil engineering recorded a sixth consecutive monthly contraction in output (46.8) and the rate of decline remained sharp overall.

December data also highlighted a reduction in new orders placed with UK constructors, following a modest uplift in November. According to survey respondents, the fall was driven by weak client demand, linked in turn to higher prices charged. Moreover, the rate of contraction was the fastest since May 2020.

Challenging business conditions were reflected in confidence amongst constructors towards the year-ahead outlook for activity, which dropped into negative territory for the first time since

the initial COVID-19 wave and for only the sixth time on record. Downbeat sentiment was attributed to expectations of a recession and poor demand conditions, as well as inflationary pressures. That said, the degree of pessimism was marginal.

December data pointed to the first fall in employment since January 2021. Weak sales meant vacancies were often not being filled, according to panellists. Elsewhere, firms pared back on their purchasing for first time in three months in December, reportedly due to lower workloads. Notably, the rate of reduction was the steepest for over two-and-a-half years.

Average lead times for inputs lengthened to a greater degree nonetheless, with delays the most severe since last June. Shortages and shipping issues were cited as the cause.

Turning to prices, costs faced by construction companies continued to increase during the final month of the year, linked by panellists to energy, material, fuel and import costs.

Although still marked, the rate of inflation was the weakest for two years. Rates charged by subcontractors also rose in December, but at a slightly reduced pace.

Comment

Lewis Cooper, Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “The UK’s construction sector registered a relatively poor finish to 2022, with business activity falling into decline following a three-month growth sequence amid the fastest contraction in new work since the initial pandemic period in May 2020. Companies cited weak client demand, driven partly by higher prices amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

“Commercial construction activity remained the only bright spot, though here the rate of growth came close to stalling, with the overall contraction led by a further sharp decline in civil engineering and the first fall in residential construction activity since last July.

“The challenging environment in December was subsequently reflected in pessimism amongst firms towards activity levels over the coming year, with business confidence downbeat for only the

sixth time since the survey began in April 1997.

“With the outlook turning negative, staffing levels declined for the first time since the start of 2021 in December. Though panellists primarily attributed the fall to the nonreplacement of leavers, the data show that companies are preparing to face significant challenges in the months ahead.”

Dr John Glen, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The construction sector was stuck in the mud in December with the steepest fall in activity since the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020 and a similarly fast drop in pipelines of new work.

“House building saw a notable change of direction, with a mix of higher inflation for raw materials and transportation and the squeeze on affordability rates for mortgages resulting in fewer house sales. The sector subsequently fell back into contraction for the first time since July. Civil engineering, responsible for larger projects, continued to be the weakest performer again, with a sixth month in the doldrums as uncertainty about the UK economy reared its ugly head again and customers hesitated. Supply chain managers reined back spending on materials with the sharpest fall in buying activity for over two-anda-half years as a result of this poor demand.

“Optimism remained very flat and at one of the starkest rates in the survey’s history. Builders were reining back on recruitment unconvinced there will be enough growth in the UK economy in 2023 to justify additional expenditure when margins remained so squeezed. Builders are fast running out of the resilient spirit maintained over the last couple of years as the blocks to success piled up and the winter of discontent with high inflation, strikes and shortages continues.”

www.spglobal.com.

I always mean what I say. It’s just that I don’t always mean to say it out loud.

“Builders are fast running out of the resilient spirit maintained over the last couple of years.”

JARROMS (c/o Agent: Andrew Vallis, 4 Wayside Drive, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4NU) – Change of use from office and kitchen accommodation to 5 self-contained one bedroom flats – at First & Second Floors, 42-44 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 1DH.

WESTMORELAND INVESTMENTS

LIMITED (c/o Agent: Mr Matthew Roe, Marrons Planning, 2 Colton Square, Leicester LE1 1QH) –Proposed demolition of warehouse and associated office building – at 140 Waterside Road, Leicester LE5 1TN.

Charnwood Borough

HOLLINS STRATEGIC LAND

LLP (c/o Agent: Emery Planning) – Outline planning application for residential development of up to 99 dwellings – at land north of Melton Road, Queniborough, Leicester LE7 2HD.

MRS M KAUR (c/o Agent: CERDA Planning Limited) - Proposed change of use of agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses – at Broombriggs House, Beacon Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Leics. LE12 8SP.

Blaby District

MR & MRS A TACEY (c/o Agent: Fox Bennett) - Change of use of agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses – at land at Peatling Road, Countesthorpe, Leicester. Discovery Schools Academy Trust (c/o Agent: Ryan Astill, Astill Planning Consultants Limited, 144 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7JA) –Construction of 2 single storey buildings to provide additional learning space – at Enderby Danemill Primary School, Mill Lane, Enderby, Leicester LE19 4LH.

Oadby & Wigston Borough

SLIC (c/o Agent: Mr Tahir Caratella, Caratella & Partners Limited, 109 Rosemead Drive, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5PP) – Change of use from former pub to halls or meeting placesfor the principal use of the local community and public worship or religious instruction – at Nautical William, Aylestone Lane, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1BA.

Help for new house builders - your guide to getting started

ARE YOU INTERESTED in becoming a small housing developer? Would you find guidance from others in the new homes industry useful to get you started?

This webinar explores the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC)’s new guide ‘Becoming a small housing developer: advice and guidance from others in the new homes industry’, which is designed to help those starting out as small housing developers, or looking to do so.

The guide, which was developed in collaboration with the FMB, aims to be a source of help and guidance for all new and prospective small developers.

It brings together tips and advice from experienced people in the industry, and runs through some of the key steps and processes that underpin successful housing development projects.

It has been developed by the CLC’s SME Housing Sub-group, and produced with the support of the FMB. The group is chaired by FMB Vice-President Chris Carr, who speaks alongside John Slaughter, Director of Industry Affairs at the Home Builders Federation and Chair of the CLC Housing workstream, and the guide’s author, Andrew Dixon.

The webinar covers the following key areas:

The fundamentals: land, development finance and planning;

Pre-build to handover: key elements of the process from building a team to sales and marketing

Other key considerations, including sustainability and modern methods

Visit www.fmb.org.uk

CBI responds to latest inflation figures

COMMENTING on the latest inflation statistics, Alpesh Paleja, the CBI’s Lead Economist, said: “These figures add to a growing body of evidence that the UK has passed peak inflation.

“Over the coming year, inflation should fall further towards single digits, as global price pressures ease and an economic downturn takes some of the heat out of price setting.

“Despite this, the cost-ofliving crisis will continue to be a very real problem for both households and businesses, as price pressures remain high in the short-term. Against the backdrop of a recession firms will continue to face higher costs and weak demand conditions. If the government is going to solve these twin problems, then it needs to continue supporting measures like the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, while enacting a series of pro-growth measures to spur the economy.”

Up to 130 new homes planned for field on outskirts of Thurmaston

A FIELD on the edge of Thurmaston has been earmarked for up to 130 new homes.

The site, off Barkby Thorpe Lane, is currently used for agriculture, but developer Belway Homes, Mark Hornbuckle, Rachel Hornbuckle and Anthony Cooper, have submitted a plan to Charnwood Borough Council to build two-, three- and four-bedroom houses there.

The application is for outline permission only, with further details about the size and look of the housing to be submitted later if the application is successful. Belway Homes will set aside 20 per cent of the houses for affordable housing, it said, and is proposing to create a new access to the site from Barkby Thorpe Lane.

Work is already underway on a new town to the east of Thurmaston. Thorpebury in the Limes will see 4,500 homes built to help ease the burden on Leicester, which has to find 39,000 new homes by 2036, but does not have room for them all.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Barwell land for sale by auction

SDL PROPERTY Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION a parcel of land adjacent to the Barwell Constitutional Club.

The land – at 20 Chapel Street, Barwell, Leics. LE9 8DD - is thought suitable for a residential scheme of around five units, subject to planning.

For sale at the 23rd February SDL property auction with a guide price of £185,000.

Visit the website at www. sdlauctions.co.uk for more information.

NW Leics. District

MR D SANSOME (c/o Agent: Mr A Brown, Nest Architectural Limited, Unit B3, Ground Floor, Illuma Park, Gelders Hall Road, Shepshed, Leics. LE12 9NH) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 3 twobedroom dwellings with associated infrastructure – at 146 Hermitage Road, Whitwick, Coalville, Leics. LE67 5EH.

LITTON PROPERTIES LIMITED

(c/o Agent: Miss Harriet Whalley, 1 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5HN) –Erection of 3 office buildings, access, car parking, landscaping and associated works approved under planning permission 18/02227/FULM without complying with Condition 15 so as to allow for an alternative timescale for submission and approval of access details – at EM Finger Point Farm Site J23A M1, Castle Donington, Derby.

Rutland County

MR C R MULLER (c/o Agent: John Pearce, Harris Lamb, 75-76 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 8SP) – Outline planning application for up to 73 dwellings – at land off Stapleford Road, Whissendine, Rutland.

MR SHAUN ALEXANDER (c/o

Agent: Matt Taylor, Class Q, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PB) – Erection of 2 detached dwellings – at land south of Back Lane, Ryhall, Rutland.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o

Agent: Mr Andy Moffat, Savills (UK) Limited, Unex House, 132134 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PA) - Cross Boundary Outline Planning application with all matters reserved except access for up to 1,350 no. residential units (use Classes C2 and C3); two form entry primary school (use class F.1); local centre uses (use classes E and F2, public house, wine bar, or drinking establishment, drinking establishment with expanded food provision, hot food takeaway for the sale of hot food where consumption of that food is mostly undertaken off the premises); removal of existing bund; associated green infrastructure including provision of public open space, landscaping, formal and informal play areas; utilities (including drainage); and associated access, ancillary works and structures – at Little Casterton Road, Stamford Road, Little Casterton, Rutland.

FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS

SDL AUCTIONS 2023

SDL National Property Auction

Thursday 23rd February 2023 10.00am

Shepherd Commercial Property Auction

Tuesday 28th February 2023 2.30pm

Knight Frank Auction

Thursday 16th March 2023 11.30am

National Property Auction

Thursday 30th March 2023 10.00am

National Property Auction Thursday 27th April 10.00am

National Property Auction

Thursday 25th May 2023 10.00am

National Property Auction Thursday 29th June 2023 10.00am

National Property Auction Thursday 27th July 10.00am

National Property Auction

Thursday 31st August 2023 10.00am

National Property Auction

Thursday 28th September 10.00am

Knight Frank Auction

Thursday 19th October 2023 11.30am

National Property Auction

Thursday 26th October 2023 10.00am

National Property Auction

Thursday 30th November 10.00am

National Property Auction

Thursday 19th December 2023 10.00am

Visit www.sdlauctions.co.uk

COTTONS AUCTIONS 2022

15th February 2023

29th March 2023

24th May 2023

12th July 2023

13th September 2023

25th October 2023

13th December 2023

Visit www.cottons.co.uk

SHONKI BROS LS Sangra AUCTIONS 2022

Thursday 16th February 2023

Wednesday 29th March

Wednesday 17th May

Wednesday 12th July 2023

Wednesday 13th September 2023

Wednesday 1st November 2023

Wednesday 13th December 2023

Visit www.shonkibros.com

BOND WOLFE AUCTIONS 2022/23

Thursday 9th February 2023 9:00am

Thursday 30th March 2023 9:00am

Thursday 18th May 2023 9:00am

Thursday 13th July 2023 9:00am

Thursday 14th September 2023 9:00am

Thursday 26th October 2023 9:00am

Thursday 14th December 2023 9:00am

Visit www.bondwolfe.com

SHONKI BROTHERS K Sangra AUCTIONS 2023

15th February 2023

16th April 2023

14th June 2023

Visit www.shonkibrothers.com

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Former railway line for sale in Leicester

SDL PROPERTY Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION the former railway line between Thurcaston Road and Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester LE4 2QF.

This 6.52 acre brownfield site is thought suitable for a residential scheme, subject to planning permission being obtained.

For sale at the 30th March SDL property auction. Guide Price: £500,000.

Visit the website at www. sdlauctions.co.uk for more information.

Former Methodist Church for sale in Derby

SDL Property Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION the Former Chester Green Methodist Church, Mansfield Street, Derby DE1 3RJ

The 3,169 sq.ft. property comprises a traditional Methodist Chapel, together with Church Hall to the rear, plus secondary hall, storage areas, kitchen and former wc facilities.

It is to be offered for sale at the SDL Auction on Thursday 23rd February 2023 – 10.00am start.

Guide Price: £110,000+ plus fees. For further details, contact SDL Auctions on 0800 046 5454 or visit the website at www.sdlauctions. co.uk

If you’d like your property auction dates mentioned here, please email the details to us: info@buildermagazines. co.uk

If you’re selling building land or development properties, email details to us and we’ll include a FREE mention in the magazine. Thanks!

ESTATE AGENTS:

MR SAM JONES (c/o Agent: Adam Place, DLP Planning, Ground Floor, V1 Velocity Building, Tenter Street, Sheffield S1 4BY) – Residential development of 49 dwellinghouses – at land north of College Close, Great Casterton, Rutland.

MR JON GIBBISON (c/o Agent: Mrs Freddy Richley, Hereward Homes Limited, The Old Barn, 27b Crocket Lane, Empingham, Rutland LE15 8PW) – Construction of 2 stone dwellings – at land adjacent to 17 Whitwell Road, Empingham, Rutland.

MRS S STORER (c/o Agent: Tom Runcorn, Runcorn Architects Limited, 3 Station Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9TX) – Conversion of existing outbuilding into 3 holiday lets – at 4 Back Lane, Belton in Rutland, Rutland LE15 9JS.

Melton Borough

MS SOPHIE RHODES (c/o Agent: Philip James Architecture, 24 Oxford Drive, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0AL) – Change of use from Class F1 to C3 Residential – at Great Dalby Methodist Church, 29 Main Street, Great Dalby, Leics. LE14 2ET.

PJSR HILL, DWR HILL & ARR

WOOD (c/o Agent: Mr Chris Green, Andrew Granger & Co., Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Outline planning application for development of 8 dwellings with associated vehicular access, landscaping and drainage – at land adjacent to Rydal Manor, Kirby Lane, Eye Kettleby, Leics.

Harborough District

MR & MRS CROSS (c/o Agent: Mrs Julie Thompson, Peter Thompson Architectural Services, 49 Leicester Road, Broghton Astley, Leics. LE9 6QE) – Erection of 4 flats (Revised scheme) – at Peter Cross Motors, 34 Main Street, Broughton Astley, Leics. LE9 6RD.

KAYBEE DEVELOPMENTS LTD

(c/o Agent: Design Studio Architects Limited, Regent House, 7 Upper King Street, Leicester LE1 6XB) –Creation of new access and erection of 4 dwellings with associated garaging/car ports (Revised scheme) – at Land OS 1377, Caldecott Road, Great Easton, Leicestershire.

Development Properties IN BRIEF New appointments at Design Studio Architects

Former pub with consent for conversion

IN 2022 DSA worked very hard to add to our team at different levels to manage our growth, particularly in the commercial sector with clients such as Marks and Spencer’s and Vistry Partnership, and to ensure we continue to evolve.

in-Rutland LE15 8QY.

Planning permission (ref: 2021/1421/FUL) was granted on 22nd December 2022 for conversion of the existing building into two dwellings, and the construction of two new dwellings on the adjoining car park. Offers in excess of £1 million are invited. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Christopher Bywater at First City on 01902 710999 or email: chris@ firstcity.co.uk

Former dance studio for sale

Finally, after much deliberation, patience and thought, towards the end of 2022 we were thrilled to welcome three new faces to our team – Claire Stephens, Architectural Assistant, Noha Hossam, Architecture Designer, and Andy Muncie, Senior Architecture Technologist & BIM Coordinator.

With 17 years’ experience to date, Claire is at RIBA part 2 and is excited by the prospect of becoming part 3 qualified in 2023 – she hopes to continually develop her skills and deliver excellent architecture that surpasses client expectations by getting even more involved in the technical / construction aspects. Claire loves playing golf (handicap 21), spending time with family, and designing ornamental gifts. Claire also used to play football for Leicester City ladies!

With over 15 years’ experience, Noha grew up in Egypt and has a master’s from Politecnico Di Milano University, Italy and BREEAM Qualifications – in 2023 she is looking forward to transitioning her qualifications to become RIBA registered, and can’t wait to specialise more in sustainable, low-emission architecture with DSA. Innovative and passionate about reducing climate change, she enjoys taking the client brief and identifying ways to introduce low footprint materials into the design.

SDL Property Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION the Former Derby Academy School of Dance, The Old Mill Studios, Lynton Street, Derby DE22 3RW.

The property offers spacious accommodation over two floors with a number of rooms suitable for offices, male and female changing rooms and two superb studios. Subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission, the property could be suitable for residential conversion. It is to be offered for sale at the SDL Auction on Thursday 23rd February 2023 –10.00am start.

Guide price: £125,000+ plus fees. For further details, contact SDL Auctions on 0800 046 5454 or visit www.sdlauctions.co.uk

Noha loves travel and meeting new people, and creative to the core, in 2022 started her own small cake business, selling to friends, family and friends of friends on social media!

With over 9 years’ post-qualification experience, Andy is looking forward to progressing his career alongside the like-minded professionals in Design Studio Architects. Independent and autonomous, he loves just ‘cracking on’ with the project at hand. A strong believer in finding the ideal work-life balance, Andy enjoys pubs, socialising and helping his family building business in his spare time. An ex-drummer, his drum instructor was Romeo Challenger from Shwaddy-Waddy!

We welcome these new professionals to DSA with open arms and look forward to 2023 – with our aims being to continue providing turn-key architectural services and bringing clients’ visions to life, no matter the scale or budget.

New members of staff: Noha, Claire and Andy

OLD PLOUGH, OAKHAM ROAD, BRAUNSTON IN RUTLAND, LE15 8QY

VISUALISE YOUR PLANS

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BURBIDGE FARMS (c/o Agent: Ian Downer, Class Q Limited, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PG) – Proposed change of use of an agricultural building to 5 dwellinghouses – at Chapel Farm, Foxton Road, Lubenham, Leicestershire LE16 7RY.

PAVON LIMITED (c/o Agent: Mark Winklewski Associates, 4 Park Mews, Burnmill Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7JQ) – Outline application for the erection of 15 dwellings – at land adjacent to Main Street, Lubenham, Leics.

DAVIDSONS DEVELOPMENT LTD

(c/o: Richard Henderson, Wilson House, Leicester Road, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6HP) – Erection of 315 dwellings and associated garages and parking (Reserved matters and revised scheme) – at land to the west of Leicester Road, Market Harborough, Leics.

OAT HILL HOMES (c/o Agent: Design Studio Architects Ltd, Regent House, 7 Upper King Street, Leicester LE1 6XB) – Erection of a two storey building to create 8 apartments, with associated parking and landscaping – at 34 Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 9HE.

MR & MRS WILLMOTH (c/o Agent: Mr S Hicks, Msquare Architecture Ltd, 1 Mstudio, Talbot Yard, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7NP) – Proposed conversion of builder’s yard to a dwelling with parking and hard landscaping – at 6 Gladstone Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 9ET.

BRUDENELL ESTATES (c/o Agent: Marrons, 2 Colton Square, Leicester LE1 1QH) – Demolition of agricultural buildings, conversion of vacant outbuildings to 6 residential dwellings and erection of 7 new build dwellings, plus new double garage to Grange Farmhouse and new driveway – at Manor House Farm, Main Street, Cranoe, Leics. LE16 7SW.

BESH LIMITED (c/o Agent: Sachin Parmar, Marrons Planning, Two Colton Square, Leicester LE1 1QH) –Reconfigure layout to create public car park with EV charging, creation of Villiage Community Square and erection of 8 dwellings – at Car Park, Cp11, High Street, Fleckney, Leics.

Developer Unveils Designs For Brand New Development In Leicestershire

LEADING developer

David Wilson Homes has revealed its plans to build properties with character at a brand new housing development in Thorpebury.

The unique range of homes will be delivered at the developer’s newly launched Thorpebury in the Limes development on Barkbythorpe Road.

Holly Portsmouth, Senior Architectural Technician at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be introducing exclusive new designs at our Thorpebury in the Limes development, with many of the homes set to overlook the beautiful green spaces on site such as the cricket pitch and public open space.

“The designs will incorporate a variety of exciting features, which include painted exposed rafters, false chimneys and chalk-coloured

“The construction team will also be carefully implementing some traditional porch canopies over front doors, arched brick heads over windows and doors, ‘hit and miss’ brickwork detailing, as well as a decorative blue brick ‘X’ detail to seven of the homes for a characterful aesthetic.”

The development features an impressive selection of two to five

bedroom homes ready for property seekers to reserve.

With prices starting from £279,995, there’s a home for everyone in the sought-after location on the outskirts of Leicester.

For more information on the homes available, call the David Wilson Homes sales team on 033 3355 8483 or visit the website at Thorpebury in the Limes.

Major homebuilders launch nationwide employment scheme for women

THE HOME Builders Federation (HBF) has joined forces with Women into Construction to launch a nationwide employment programme to address the gender imbalance in the construction workforce, which currently sees just 16% female representation.

Working closely with employers Barratt Developments, Bellway Homes, Cala Homes, The Hill Group, Keepmoat, Persimmon Homes, Redrow, St. Modwen and Vistry Group, the project hopes to attract women into Site Management roles by offering a funded programme that will provide support with childcare and training costs to make the opportunity more accessible.

The employment programme will include:

• Site visits (central locations and online)

• A week of online insight and development sessions, including Q&As with Site Managers and employers, and employability and health and safety training

• Two-week on-site work placement

• 1-2-1 coaching and support from Women into Construction

• Work placements will take place at employer sites across England. They will offer participants first-hand experience of the Site Manager role and how they could help industry deliver much needed homes.

Women into Construction’s Business Development Director Jacqui Wordsworth says: “With women representing just 4% of Site Managers, we want to inspire and encourage more women to take up a career in home building –helping us and our employer partners to change the face of construction.”

Visit the Women into Construction website at https://women-into-construction.org/

A computer-generated image of one of the unique properties at David Wilson Homes’ Thorpebury in the Limes development monocouche rendering.

MR STEPHEN JEFFRIES (c/o Agent: Watson Batty Architects Ltd, Shires House, Shires Road, Guiseley, Leeds LS20 8EU) – Erection of a multi-function hall linked to the existing senior school building via single storey construction and feature architectural colonnade to front elevation of both buildings – at Stoneygate School, 6 London Road, Great Glen, Leics. LE8 9DJ.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough

MR DAVID FREER (c/o Agent: David Wilson, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Erection of 2 new residential bungalows with associated access, parking and amenity space – at land north of Bardon View, High Tor East, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7DL.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Mrs Clare Clarke, Pegasus Group, 4 The Courtyard, Church Street, Lockington, Derbyshire DE74 2SL) Outline planning application for up to 120 residential dwellings – at Ashfield Farm, Kirkby Road, Desford, Leicester LE9 9JX.

MS AMY LAWSON-GILL (c/o Agent: Daniel Cosier, AFL Architects, Unit 12a, 133 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 1SF) – Demolition of existing outbuildings, refurbishment of a Grade II Listed residential property, erection of 3 dwellings and associated landscape works – at Houghton House, Sheepy Road, Sibson, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 6LE.

MR PAUL WITHERS (c/o: Rangebrook, 283 Watling Street, Nuneaton, Warks. CV11 6BQ) –Erection of storage warehouse with associated parking and landscaping – at 283 Watling Street, Nuneaton CV11 6BQ.

New Year Promotions and Appointments at RJA Consultants

RJA Consultants have announced two new Directors to the senior management team.

Hardeep Kooner joined RJA in 2014 and was promoted to Associate in 2020 and most recently appointed as a Director of Residential in January 2023.

Chris Clubb joined RJA in March 2021 as Associate and managed the opening of RJA’s new office in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire and has been appointed to Director of Commercial.

Further promotions have been announced within the management team with Ben Kirwan and Gary Rowlandson both being promoted to Associates, at Head Office and West Bridgford offices respectively.

Freiya Ketteridge has been promoted to Project Manager based in West Bridgford.

Liza Julian, Director of Corporate Services, said “ We are continuing to grow and develop the team and it’s so rewarding for all concerned to see such well-deserved internal promotions.

“In January, we were also delighted to welcome Chloe Marsh (Senior QS at West Bridgford), Bob Edwards (Senior QS at Head Office) and Syed Raza (Assistant QS at West Bridgford) to the team.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Barwell land for auction

SDL Property Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION a parcel of land adjacent to the Barwell Constitutional Club, thought suitable for a residential scheme of circa five units, subject to planning.

The land – at 20 Chapel Street, Barwell, Leicestershire LE9 8DD – is to be offered for sale at the SDL Auction on Thursday 23rd February 2023 – 10.00am start.

Guide price: £185,000+ plus fees. For further details, contact SDL Auctions on 0800 046 5454 or visit the website at www.sdlauctions. co.uk

Residential development site at Long Buckby

September 2024.

Section 106 contributions equate to approximately £53,000.

Tenure

MR & MRS WYNNE (c/o Agent: Simon Cheshire Planning Ltd, 34 Stanley Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0NB) – Conversion of agricultural buildings to residential with associated amenity space and parking – at Townsend Farm, Bosworth Road, Sutton Cheney, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0AH.

Our vision at RJA is to build a sustainable business which delivers consistently high quality services to our clients and creates career and personal development opportunities for our team ”.

www.rjaconsultants.com

The freehold of the property is for sale and vacant possession will be provided on completion.

Services

Interested parties are advised to make their own investigations into services that need to be connected into the site.

Electrical and gas connection estimates were provided to the vendor in July 2022. These can be viewed in the data room.

Boundaries

MR & MRS G DENNEY (c/o Agent: Martin Ladd, Housemartin Designs, The Carthouse, Charnells Court, Upperfields Farm, Main Street, Swepstone, Leics. LE67 2SG) –Construction of 3 dwellinghouses and associated works following demolition of existing dwelling – at The Old House Farm, Sutton Lane, Cadeby, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0AR.

Potential purchasers should satisfy themselves with the boundaries by viewing them on site.

SHERWILL DRAKE FORBES are offering for sale a development site with planning permission (refs: DA/2020/0478 & WND/2022/0481) for 16 new dwellings.

The site is located at Blincow Road, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire NN6 7XP.

Price on application – visit www. sherwillforbes.com for more information. www.sherwillforbes.com

SLIDING DOORS & FURNITURE | Vintage Santa Fe Oak & Onyx Grey

Rushcliffe Borough

MRS CHARLOTTE HENSON (c/o: Barratt Homes, 2 Horizon Place, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham NG8 6PY) –Erection of 75 dwellings including landscaping, public open space and associated infrastructure – at land at Hillside Farm, South of Bunny Lane, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire.

MRS CHARLOTTE HENSON

(c/o: Barratt Homes, 2 Horizon Place, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham NG8 6PY) – Application for the Approval of Reserved Matters- 74 dwellings pursuant to outline planning permission 20/02508/ OUT – at land South and East of Hollygate Lane, Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire.

MRS CHARLOTTE HENSON

(c/o: Barratt Homes, 2 Horizon Place, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham NG8 6PY) – Application for the Approval of Reserved Matters- 210 dwellings pursuant to outline planning permission 20/03248/ OUT – at land rear of Mill Hill Lane/The Old Park, Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire.

MR CAMERON MCHUGH (c/o

Agent: Miss Atarah Adams, Swain Architecture Ltd, Allen Suite, Mohan Business Centre, Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1BE) – Erection of 2 new build two-bedroom semi-detached dwellings, each with a study, fronting Grantham Road – at 2 Johns Road, Ratcliffe on Trent, Nottingham NG12 2GW.

MR STEWART BLOODWORTH

(c/o Agent: Mrs Natalie Dear Planning Consultancy, 1 Bailey Lane, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham NG12 2DA) – Construction of 2 semidetached three-bedroom dwellings with associated parking and amenity space – at land south of 23 Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham.

MR & MRS MARK AND JULIE WOODHOUSE (c/o Agent: OkrafoSmart Architects, 7B Risegate, Cotgrave, Nottingham NG12 3JF) – Prior approval application under Class Q for the change of use of an agricultural barn to create 3 new dwellinghouses – at Moor Farm, Asher Lane, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire NG11 6JX.

Construction wages rise again but still at less than half the inflation rate

DOMINICK SANDFORD, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “The cost of living crisis certainly appears here to stay, and the latest data shows that despite construction wages rising once again, they are lagging far behind the soaring inflation rate.

“In November, average weekly earnings increased slightly to £718 (from £715 in October), thanks to a small rise in bonuses. This a rise of 5% yearon-year, from £683. However, this growth is less than half the current inflation rate, which despite falling a little in the last month, still stands at 10.7%.

“In essence, this means that construction workers have less disposable income available than this time last year.

“It’s a similar picture across the whole UK economy, where wages have risen by 7% YOY, but still pale in comparison to the inflation rate.

“Worryingly, it appears that the crisis is also affecting businesses, and the consequences are being passed onto their employees. The latest ONS data shows that both redundancies (67%) and unemployment (21%) increased at the end of 2022, to 7,000 and 46,000 respectively, although the latter is considerably lower than it was the year before (57,000).

“With finances strained, it’s important that tradespeople are smart with their money. We recently partnered with Rick Smith, Managing Director at Forbes Burton, to share financial advice for those working in our sector.

“He suggests being stricter with invoices and implementing a ‘50% up front policy’ to maintain a steady cash flow. Building up a cash reserve is also crucial in uncertain times, and Rick advises keeping back 30% of your earnings each month, if possible.

“The data highlights how tough the end of last year was for the industry, but there are definitely causes for optimism. Our recent survey of tradespeople found that one in six (17%) are planning on hiring in 2023, and a fifth (20%) believe it will be a good year for their companies.

“Hopefully when we analyse the data in a few months’ time, the statistics will paint a more positive picture, and reflect the confidence that workers are feeling.”

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Glen Parva land for auction

SDL Property Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION a site of 5.2 acres of which 2.6 acres comprises greenfield potential development land, subject to planning.

The land – to the east of 65 Little Glen Road, Glen Parva, Leicester LE2 9TR – is to be offered for sale at the SDL Auction on Thursday 23rd February 2023 – 10.00am start. Guide price: £300,000+ plus fees. For further details, contact SDL Auctions on 0800 046 5454 or visit the website at www.sdlauctions. co.uk

Two locations identified for potential new Coalville railway station

AS REPORTED in a January article on the New Civil Engineer website by Thomas Johnson, two potential locations have been identified for the construction of a new railway station as part of a project to reinstate an abandoned Leicestershire railway.

The locations for Coalville’s potential future train station would sit on a restored Ivanhoe Line running between Leicester and Burton.

The Ivanhoe Line was closed to passengers in the 1960s when British Railways chair Richard Beeching axed it in his infamous self-titled report. Connecting Burton-upon-Trent with Leicester, the 50km route was recently awarded funding for development as part of the government’s £500M Restoring Your Railway Programme.

Councillors have now discussed two locations that could be feasible for the station. The first site would see it built in a car park overlooking the railway line next to the Belvoir Shopping Centre and Coalville Market Hall building. The other is on a local road, Wolsey Road, in an area fenced off by Network Rail.

The former market building adjacent to the first option itself would not be part of the plan, because the council has put the vacant site on the open market.

North West Leicestershire District Council is also backing the line’s restoration but has previously not been able to confirm the potential sites for Coalville’s station.

MR STAN BERRA LTD (c/o Agent: Mr Dino Labbate, Swish Architecture Ltd, Unit 2B, 100 Melton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6EP) – Creation of 7 new apartments including twostorey front extension, two storey rear/side extension, two storey side extension, single storey side extension and external alterations –at Corner of Canberra Crescent and Stanhome Square, West Bridgford, Nottingham.

MR G DAWSON (c/o Agent: Mr Christopher Whitehouse, NextPhase, 8 Bore Street, Lichfield WS13 6LL) – Hybrid planning application for a rural exception development, including full planning permission for 14 affordable dwellings including 6 discount market sales dwellings with associated provision of car parking, open space, landscape, access and infrastructure works, and outline planning permission for 3 enabling self-build market dwelling plots – at land at Main Street, Flintham, Nottinghamshire NG23 5LA.

South Derbyshire District

PETE ROBINSON HOLIDAY

HOMES LTD (c/o Agent: Mrs Ada McManus, AM Planning Consultants Ltd, 222 Branston Road, Burton upon Trent DE14 3BT) – Proposed clubhouse, laundry building and 11 holiday apartments – at Peter Robinson Holiday Homes Ltd, Colliery Lane, Linton, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 6PB.

TRENT & DOVE HOUSING

LIMITED (c/o Agent: Miss Bryony Preston, Pozzoni, Woodville House, 2 Woodville Road, Altrincham WA14 2FH) – Proposal for a C3 development comprising 28 supported living apartments together with communal spaces, communal gardens and associated parking – at the Former Site of The Dales care Home, located between Fisher Close and Askew Grove, Repton.

HARWORTH GROUP LIMITED

(c/o Agent: Steve Lewis-Roberts, Pegasus Group, 4 The Courtyard, Church Street, Lockington, Derby DE74 2SL) – Outline planning application for up to 150 dwellings, with open space, landscaping and drainage infrastructure – at Site D, Cadley Park, Off Park Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Worrying signs for construction as housing and RMI output fall, says FMB

CONCERNING dips in housing and repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) output in November prompted stagnant overall output for the construction industry, according to January’s ONS stats, which is a worrying sign not just for the nation’s small, local builders, says Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Private house building, and repair and maintenance work are the backbone of local builders’ businesses, so these falls in output signal a worrying winter for the sector. Likely prompted by consumers tightening their belts in the face of cost-of-living pressures, the falls in the ONS data reflect the FMB’s latest State of Trade survey which recorded declining enquiries for the first time in a decade. We know that a lack of viable land, a complicated planning system and a shortage of skilled workers are hitting SME house builders hard.”

Berry continued: “In the run-up to the Budget I urge the Government to support local building firms with policies that boost demand and reduce costs.

“One of the best ways to support the RMI sector is through the introduction of a National Retrofit Strategy to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s leaky homes, which would create more jobs across the UK and, as set out so clearly in the Net Zero Review by Conservative MP Chris Skidmore, will deliver economic growth.

“We also need to see significant reform to the planning system to ensure housing developments don’t languish in the cumbersome planning system, which is holding back SME house builders from achieving their potential.”

Major improvement works to begin at Leicester’s busy FiveWays junction

A MAJOR programme of improvements to one of Leicester’s ‘most confusing’ junctions and its connecting roads starts this month.

Leicester City Council is planning a major redevelopment of the A50/ FiveWays junction, in north west Leicester, to help make it safer for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, and improve the busy route for buses.

As part of the project, the council will completely redesign and overhaul the busy FiveWays junction which links Blackbird Road, Woodgate, Fosse Road North, Groby Road and Buckminster Road.

Work will be carried out in phases to help minimise disruption, and the overall project is expected to be complete by spring 2024.

The first phase of work will involve narrowing its junctions with Blackbird Road and Colwell Road; the installation of a new raised table on Colwell Road to improve safety for people walking and riding bikes; and existing car parking on verges close to the shops on Buckminster Road will be removed. New landscaping will also be introduced.

This initial phase of work is expected to take around six to eight weeks during which time a lane restriction will be required on part of Blackbird Road, and Buckminster Road will be closed to through traffic. Local diversions will be in place.

The current experimental road closure on Buckminster Road will also be removed at the start of the FiveWays redevelopment work, and a review and surveys will be carried out after the highway works are completed to fully understand the impact of the new junction on traffic flow on Buckminster Road and surrounding streets.

Development Properties IN BRIEF Former

Oadby swimming pool

development

site at Leicester Road, Oadby LE2 4DF.

The site extends to approximately 1.26 acres and comprises the former Oadby Swimming Pool and Tennis Courts.

The building is of 1970s construction, framed and with a combination of brick and blockwork, with profiled sheet clad elevations under a low pitched roof. To the front and right is a tarmac car park for around 38 vehicles. To the rear are three tennis courts.

The swimming pool and car park parts of the site have been allocated for residential purposes under the current Oadby & Wigston Local Plan. The remainder of the site will, in principle, be suitable for further residential development. It is envisaged that the site overall may be suitable for apartments, traditional housing or retirement living. Offers will be sought by way of Informal Tender.

Contact Joe Reilly at Innes England on 0116 255 5455 for more information, or visit www. innes-england.com

Crest Nicholson pauses regional expansion drive

AS REPORTED in Construction Enquirer News by Aaron Morby, house builder Crest Nicholson has put its regional expansion plans on hold in response to falling demand.

Chief executive Peter Truscott said that it has now paused the planned opening of a third new division until further notice and would now adjust the pace of expansion across the business.

GLEBE HOMES (c/o Agent: Mr Dale Radford, rg+p Limited, Waterloo House, 71 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TR) – Construction of 4 detached dwellings with associated off-street parking provision and outdoor amenity space – at 2 Derby Road, Hilton, Derbyshire DE65 5FP.

DCMS (c/o: 597 Etruria Road, Basford, Stoke on Trent ST4 6HP) – Demolition of existing garage and erection of 2 flats on the footprint –at 121 High Street, Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11

7DU.

MELBOURNE HALL ESTATE

(c/o Agent: Philip Tuckwell, TUK Architecture, The Studio, 6A Market Place, Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8DS) – Demolition of existing building and development of 6 new dwellings with associated amenity space and car parking – at Melbourne Community Centre, Church Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8EJ.

LEAFLETS!

National design competition launched for major housing scheme in Mansfield

A MAJOR DESIGN competition has been launched inviting architects to design a significant new social housing scheme on a derelict site close to Mansfield town centre.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is managing the competition to find an outstanding design for Mansfield’s White Hart Street area on behalf of Mansfield District Council.

Applications are invited from architects across the world in accordance with the requirements set out in the briefing document and selection questionnaire on the RIBA website.

The deadline for submission of the selection questionnaires is 12noon (GMT) on Wednesday 15 February 2023.

The land to be redeveloped is located within the Bridge Street conservation area which contains buildings of historic and architectural merit.

Full Council approved a £16.5m budget to build new council homes on this brownfield site in 2019. Architects entering the competition currently have a £14m budget for the scheme although this may increase subject to a successful bid for grant funding.

The properties are expected to be a mix of housing types, including family houses and apartments for older people, and built to the Future Homes Standard to save energy for residents, in line with the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan. They would be added to the council’s stock of affordable homes.

The area has stood derelict for over a decade. It previously had planning permission for a mixed retail and residential scheme in 2008, but market conditions meant this scheme was never taken forward. It subsequently became blighted and has, as a consequence, become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The council purchased land in this area last year (2022) in order to facilitate its regeneration. Redevelopment of this area would strongly align with the council’s Growth, Aspiration, Wellbeing and Place priorities.

The firm winning the competition will progress the design for planning permission – subject to approval by the Full Council of the business case expected in January 2024.

If approved, a planning application could be submitted in the same month and if that is approved, demolition work could start around October 2024 and building work in February 2025.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Site for 8 houses in Barlestone

SCRIVINS & Co are asking £600,000 for a parcel of building land adjacent to 19 Newbold Road, Barlestone, Leics. CV13 0DZ.

Planning permission has been granted for four pairs of semi-detached houses, across two planning applications with references: 21/00901/FUL and 22/00366/FUL.

For more information, contact Scrivins & Co on 01455 890480 or visit: www.scrivins.co.uk

Stoughton land for sale by auction

AUCTION ESTATES are offering for sale BY AUCTION a freehold parcel of vacant land considered suitable for residential development, subject to planning.

Titled ‘Land off Old Charity Farm, Stoughton, Leicester LE2 2EX’, the 1.45 acre site is due to be offered for sale by Public Auction on 23rd February 2023 at Nottingham Racecourse. The Guide Price is £50,000+.

For more information, visit the website at www.auctionestates. co.uk

Amenity land for sale in Enderby

Leicester LE19 4AG.

High Street, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 4AG Offers Around £45,000

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A rare opportunity to purchase a parcel of amenity land in the heart of Enderby. The land has an estimated area of 0.04 Ha (0.11 acres) and fronts onto The Nook. The land could possibly be developed, subject to planning consent and the negotiation of an access from

The land has an estimated area of 0.11 acres and fronts onto The Nook. The land could possibly be developed, subject to planning consent and the negotiation of access from The Nook.

Offers around £45,000 are invited. Contact Readings on 0116 222 7575 for more information.

Leicester Distribution Park fully let

North Northants District

MR SHAUN CHERRY (c/o Agent: Frazer Hickling, Phillips Planning Services Ltd, Kingsbrook House, 7 Kingsway, Bedford MK42 9BA) –Part demolition of factory buildings and refurbishment of the retained building to form 3 flats, erection of 2 townhouses and formation of car park – at Factory, Windmill Road, Rushden, Northants. NN10 9TN.

IAN JOHNSON (c/o Agent: Mr Alex Jelley, Alpine Planning Limited, The Buttery, Tithe Farm, Holcot, Northampton NN6 9SH) – Erection of 4 three-bedroom dwellings fronting onto Wentworth Road, with vehicular access from Moor Road, parking and landscaping, plus retention of existing dwelling – at 28 Moor Road, Rushden, Northants. NN10 9SP.

Rugby Borough

JUNIPER DEVELOPMENTS

LIMITED (c/o Agent: Ryan Gettings, HB Architects, The Old Telephone Exchange, Albert Street, Rugby, Warks. CV21 2SA) – Change of use of existing ground floor of building being retail into residential units – at 150B Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warks. CV21 3HN

RUGBY HOLDINGS

RESIDENTIAL LTD (c/o Agent: Daniel Reeves, Oakwrights, The Lakes, Swainshill, Hereford HR4 7PU) – Proposal for 4 new dwellings – at Homestead Farm, Coventry Road, Dunchurch, Warks. CV22 6RB.

M CAIRNS (c/o Agent: Robert O’Callaghan Architects, Ivy House, Church Street, Churchover, Rugby, Warks. CV23 0EW) – Erection of 2 new detached dwellings with vehicular and pedestrian access and associated parking – at 3 Bilton Lane, Dunchurch, Warks. CV22 6PY.

Sell That Plot!

Are you selling building plots, development sites, properties requiring renovation, or properties which would benefit from a change of use?

If so, send us particulars and we’ll mention them FREE in brief editorial form in Leicestershire Builder. Our email address is: info@buildermagazines.co.uk

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Bottesford

Property developer, Graftongate and global investment manager, BlackRock have completed a deal for the final available unit at Leicester Distribution Park (LEDP).

The joint venture partners have completed the letting of a 150,000 sq ft distribution and logistics unit on a 10-year lease to a global transportation services provider.

Built to BREEAM ‘excellent’ standard, Unit 2 was developed as part of the final phase of the 44-acre scheme, off the A47 near Leicester city centre.

Graftongate and BlackRock carried out three phases of development at LEDP during a six-year period, creating eight Grade A logistics units totalling 715,000 sq ft.

The first phase was pre-let, with the remaining seven units speculatively built and all let within six to nine months of completion.

Established occupiers include Blanson, CCL Components, Piping Rock, Samworth Brothers, Power Towers, Company Shop Group and Leicester Tissue Company.

The letting team of M1, CBRE and Innes England acted for Graftongate and BlackRock throughout the project.

Cork Lane, Glen Parva

RICHARD Watkinson & Partners are offering for sale a 600 sq.metre development site with planning consent (ref: 21/00692/FUL) for two individual contemporary homes.

The land – at Easthorpe Road, Bottesford, Leicestershire NG13 0DS – is being offered at a Guide Price of £325,000.

For more information, contact Richard Watkinson & Partners on 01949 836678 or visit the website at www.richardwatkinson.co.uk

165 home residential scheme takes step forward

DEVELOPERS are set to progress plans for 165 homes off Cork Lane, Glen Parva, after the Planning Inspectorate, a Government appointed organisation, made its decision in relation to Blaby District Council’s refusal of the application.

Following a public inquiry into the refusal decision, made in May 2022, the Planning Inspector has granted reserved matters approval for the scheme.

It means developers Glen Parva JV LLP can progress to the next stage of the process, which will be to submit a further application to the Council to explain exactly how they will deal with the risks associated with contamination of the site due to its previous use as landfill.

This is required before any work can start on the building of up to 165 homes on the 12.5 hectare plot, a former brickworks and clay pit-turned landfill site. This is important in ensuring robust remediation and mitigation works against any migration of landfill gas, particularly methane gas.

When received, this application will be considered by the Council to ensure the developer can take the necessary steps to address any threats posed to future occupants and surrounding residents. If the Council is not satisfied then it can refuse the application and the development may not proceed.

The background to the appeal goes back to 2016 when outline planning permission was given to the original application to build up to 165 homes on land off Cork Lane, Glen Parva.

A reserved matters application was received by the Council in 2019 which sought approval for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development on this former landfill site.

In the reserved matters application the developer had made changes to the originally agreed approach to contamination.

Concerned that this new strategy may not be sufficient to eliminate risks from landfill gas, Council officers recommended refusal and at committee the application was denied.

Glen Parva JV LLP appealed this decision and a public inquiry was held last November.

During the run-up to the inquiry, new evidence was put forward by contamination experts from both sides.

This led to both parties agreeing in principle that the site could theoretically be remediated satisfactorily through measures including installing an underground protective gas curtain wall, increasing the depth of the capping layer and carrying out further monitoring.

The Planning Inspector agreed with this new approach.

National award for new St Margaret’s bus station

LEICESTER’S new St Margaret’s Bus Station has scooped its first national award.

The £14.3million bus station redevelopment project took the top spot in the infrastructure and transportrelated development category of the Future Cities Forum Winter Awards 2022.

Judges praised the ambition of the bus station redevelopment and the way major elements of the previous building were reused to help cut the carbon cost of construction.

Helen Taylor, Director of Practice at Scott Brownrigg and a member of the judging panel, said: “‘I loved that fact that they had taken what was there at St Margaret’s Bus Station and made it better.”

Fellow judge Deborah Williams, Head of Region – Midlands, Historic England, added: “Typically, rail stations get lots of attention, and bus stations are ‘also rans’. It’s the fact that they have created a sense of place in this part of Leicester that is really laudable.”

The new landmark St Margaret’s Bus Station building creates a striking gateway into the centre of the city. It features a glazed concourse to maximise natural lighting and cut energy consumption and a curved aluminium roof where a solar array of 390 photovoltaic panels generate more clean, green power than is needed to run the building.

The building has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with the highest possible rating of A+ and a score of -4. This means that the new bus station building will be better than net zero carbon in terms of its operational emissions. It is the first net zero carbon bus station building in the UK.

Bus passengers benefit from a completely redesigned, improved and more spacious internal layout with better seating, a new café, modern toilets complete with a Changing Places accessible facility, and real-time digital passenger information. The new building also provides significantly more capacity

Development Properties IN BRIEF Development scheme in Burton Joyce

for national and regional services, with the number of available bays increased by a third from 18 to 24.

Deputy Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on transport, air quality and the climate emergency, said: “St Margaret’s Bus Station represents an ambitious and important step forwards in our efforts to become a carbon neutral city.

“It shows our commitment to decarbonising our public buildings and will build on our work to promote sustainable transport and help improve services for bus passengers in and around the city, through our new Leicester Buses Partnership with local operators.

“This new landmark building has also made a huge and positive to the important St Margaret’s gateway and I am proud that this ambitious project and the fantastic project team behind it have been recognised with this award.”

The new St Margaret’s bus

station was designed by BDP, a major international practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists, with construction of the new building carried out by the city council’s appointed contractors, leading construction and regeneration specialists Morgan Sindall.

Ronan Connelly, Architect Associate at BDP, said: “St Margaret’s Bus Station is now one of the most beautiful and important transport hubs in the UK and an exemplar for modern, sustainable design. Modern architecture should be careful, not careless, and transport buildings should respond to the requirements of modern cities like Leicester. We are extremely happy that the station has won this award and it demonstrates the importance of creating a world-class, inner-city building that is both simple and practical whilst achieving net zero carbon.”

Leicestershire Builder Magazine

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SMITH & PARTNERS are offering for sale an interesting 8-unit mixed use development scheme (approved under reference: 2021/0673) for four apartments, two office/ retail units and two semidetached houses.

The 1,068 sq.yard site – at 6 Willow Wong, Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire NG14 5FD – is being offered for sale at a Price Guide of £600,000.

Contact Smith & Partners on 01636 815544 for more information, or visit www.smithandpartners. co.uk

Central Co-op plans to close Leicester distribution centres

CENTRAL CO-OP is planning to close its three distribution centres and garage in Leicester and transfer distribution operations to the Cooperative Group.

The company’s proposal puts nearly 400 jobs at risk, although the food retailer has given a commitment to offer alternative roles to all staff affected.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editorial/Production Team.

The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Builder Magazines cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All property details contained within this magazine are to be regarded as being for outline guidance only. All potential interested parties are requested to check individual availability of premises for accuracy of details with the relevant selling agents before proceeding further.

Dinosaurs are cool, but what have they done lately?

Development Properties IN BRIEF Pagabo appoints G F Tomlinson for £1billion national framework

Parcels of Leicester land for sale at February auction

THE FOLLOWING lots, which will be of interest to developers, are being offered for sale at the next Kal Sangra Shonki Brothers Auction on 15th February:

• Land to the rear of 38-40 St James Road, Stoneygate, Leicester LE2 1HQ – a level plot of 691 sq.yards, suitable for residential development of a bungalow, subject to planning.

Guide Price: £90,000-£100,000 plus VAT.

• Car Park & Garages at 114118 Melrose Street, Belgrave, Leicester LE4 6FB – a level rectangular plot of 287 sq.yards approx., providing car parking and six lock up garages. The site is suitable for residential development of 1-2 houses subject to planning. Guide Price: £100,000-£110,000 plus VAT.

• Land adjacent to 227 Loughborough Road, Belgrave, Leicester LE4 5PN – a level rectangular plot of 506 sq.yards approx., suitable for residential development of a single bungalow subject to planning. Guide Price: £80,000-£90,000 plus VAT.

• Land adjacent to 21 Pen

Close, Eyres Monsell, Leicester LE2 6TT – a level triangular plot 0f 0.22 acres suitable for residential development of a bungalow subject to planning. Guide Price: £80,000£90,000 plus VAT.

• Land between 32 Coles

Close, Leicester LE4 7SY and 10 Thomson Close, Rushey Mead, Leicester LE4 7SX – a level rectangular plot of 711 sq.yards approx. The site is suitable for residential development of a single bungalow subject to planning. Guide Price: £80,000-£90,000 plus VAT.

• Car Park and Garages at Prospect Road, North Evington, Leicester LE5 3RR – a level square plot of 645 sq.yards approx., providing car parking and 9 lock up garages. The site is suitable for residential development of 2-3 houses or 4-6 flats, subject to planning. Guide Price: £150,000£160,000 plus VAT.

For more information about these auction lots, contact Kal Sangra Shonki Brothers on 0116 254 3373 or visit the website at www. shonkibrothers.com

MIDLANDS-BASED contractor, G F Tomlinson, has been announced as a successful partner for Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Works, which launched last month.

Running from January 2023 until January 2027, the nextgeneration framework is one of Pagabo’s most popular and active construction procurement routes for clients, with 148 projects having completed to date.

As part of the partnership, G F Tomlinson has been appointed to deliver projects from £500,000 up to £10million, throughout Yorkshire, and the East and West Midlands.

G F Tomlinson will deliver public sector projects across the education, healthcare, civic, leisure, housing, blue light, highways and infrastructure sectors.

In order to be successful, G F Tomlinson’s bid demonstrated relevant experience, financial stability and a strong commitment to social value and the carbon reduction agenda. As well as providing value for money for clients, delivering quality builds on time and on budget, and managing supply chain to a high standard.

Since 2020, G F Tomlinson has partnered with Pagabo on several frameworks including the Major Works Framework, the Framework for Refit and Refurbishment Solutions, and the previous Medium Works Framework, which the new iteration now supersedes.

Under these frameworks, the contractor recently delivered the £3.7m extension and remodelling of Cardinal Newman Catholic School to provide an additional 200 school placements, alongside a £2.4m urgent treatment centre at Lincoln Hospital, which expanded the facility’s existing accident and emergency department.

They are currently on site constructing the £15.4m new Air and Space Institute (ASI) at Newark for the Lincoln College Group, which will provide a unique opportunity for school leavers 16 -18 to train for pilot, engineers and ground-crew roles in airlines, the military, airports and logistics companies in a state-of-the-art college facility.

The company also has other projects in the pipeline procured via Pagabo, to the value of circa £35million still to come to site.

Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to the National Framework for Medium Works, which is our fifth framework agreement with Pagabo.

“G F Tomlinson has delivered in excess of £500 million projects through public sector frameworks to date and with our expertise, commitment to delivering high-quality projects and our passion to enhance social value for local communities, we are best placed to serve public sector clients on all their project requirements.

“We look forward to constructing and delivering significant developments through this framework, that will support the regeneration of local communities across the Midlands and North, over the next three to four years.”

Tom Retallick, Framework Manager at Pagabo, said: “Congratulations to G F Tomlinson on securing their place on the second iteration of our Medium Works Framework. Pagabo have formed a close working relationship with them over the years, delivering 14 projects worth a combined value of £45m across our various construction frameworks, and so we’re excited to be continuing this through the duration of the framework.”

We also publish THREE village magazines every month, which are delivered to a total of 12,300 homes in Markfield, Groby, Glenfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon & Field Head.

So, if you sell goods or services to the general public, and you’d like your sales message to reach thousands of potential customers - in village magazines that they look forward to reading - why not give them a try.

For more information, call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069. Or view the magazines ONLINE at: www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

Barr’s Hill Primary School

BMF ADVISES ENERGY-INTENSIVE USERS TO APPLY FOR THE NEW ENERGY BILL RELIEF SCHEME

FOLLOWING the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement regarding changes to government support for business energy costs from 1 April 2023, the BMF is advising members to check whether they should apply for the higher level of financial assistance available to energyintensive industries.

The UK- wide Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), which replaces the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme, is set to provide a discount on energy prices, rather that the existing arrangement which caps energy prices. Most businesses will find that their energy supplier will automatically apply the standard discount to their bills.

However, there are slightly different proposals for energy-intensive industries, which include manufacturers of building materials, and they may need to register for this higher level of assistance.

Commenting on the changes, BMF CEO, John Newcomb said “The overall package being offered by the government from 1 April 2023 is substantially below the level of support provided over the winter months. This will be a major concern for energy-intensive manufacturers but they should also be aware that the may not automatically receive the proposed discount and may have to register to receive it. Details of how to do that have not yet been released, but we will be advising members soon as they are available”.

The governments proposals for the new EBDS scheme follow.

All Businesses

For eligible customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier, the offer is:

• From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, all businesses that have a contact with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6.97/MWh automatically applied to their as bill - and a unit discount of up to £19.61/MWh on their electricity bill.

• This will be the subject to a wholesale price threshold - set with reference to the support provided for domestic consumers - of £107/MWh for gas and £302/MWh for electricity. This means that businesses facing energy costs below this level will not receive support.

Energy-Intensive Industries

• Eligible businesses will receive a discount reflecting the difference between a price threshold and the relevant wholesale price.

• The price threshold will be £99/MWh for gas and £185/MWh for electricity.

• This discount will only apply for 70% of energy volumes and will be subject to a maximum discount of £40.o/MW for gas and £89.1/MWh for electricity.

If you enjoy reading Leicestershire Builder Magazine, please pass it on to a friend or colleague when you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

ECO-FRIENDLY HOMES LAUNCHED IN SUTTON BONINGTON

you don’t have

A NEW DEVELOPMENT of eco-friendly homes has been launched in a sought-after Nottinghamshire village by leading housebuilder William Davis Homes.

Lime Gardens in Sutton Bonington will achieve an estimated annual cut in carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to 100 flights from London to New York*.

All 70 properties have a strong focus on energy saving and the environment. Each home has been designed to achieve the highest A energy efficiency rating (the national average is D).

The development has been shaped by consultation with the parish council, borough council and local residents, alongside input from the previous landowner and an independent design review.

By exceeding the requirements of current building regulations, the site’s carbon dioxide emissions will be 75% lower and energy use will be cut by 42% kilowatt hours – equivalent to almost 80,000 average washing machine cycles.

The homes have enhanced standards of floor, wall and roof insulation together with electric car charging points as standard. Each home also features solar photovoltaic cells harnessing the sun’s rays to generate electricity and helping to lower household bills.

All William Davis properties come with high-spec interior finishes featuring top brand names such as Smeg, Roca and Porcelanosa. Homes also feature the Hive Smart Heating System opening the doorway to smart home technology and are connected to BT’s Full Fibre broadband.

William Davis Homes Sales Director Steve Rush said: “Sutton Bonington is a beautiful village and these new homes complement a wonderful rural setting.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure all the homes at Lime Gardens have the highest A Rating for energy efficiency, meaning homeowners will have the peace of mind of knowing that running costs will be kept as low as possible.”

The site will have a range of dwellings, designed to suit the character of Sutton Bonington. There are 3–5-bedroom homes – alongside one and two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom bungalows.

Special features include:

• A tree-lined entrance avenue

• A higher proportion of public open space – with a central green and other areas for recreation and leisure, plus areas set aside to support biodiversity

• A community orchard, where local residents will be able to pick apples, pears, walnuts and cherries

• A new village pond incorporating a pedestrian boardwalk

• Photovoltaic panels and electric car charging points for all properties

• A series of embedded energy-saving measures, giving homes the highest A efficiency rating (the national average is D)

• Full fibre to all properties, for ultrafast broadband connectivity

• A new traffic calming gateway into Sutton Bonington at the entrance to the development.

Homes at Lime Gardens are being sold off-plan, with sales consultants at William Davis Homes’ Regency Park development in Castle Donington available to discuss more details with potential buyers. For more information email limegardens@williamdavis.co.uk or visit williamdavis. co.uk/development/lime-gardens.

North West Leicestershire secures £2.5 million Government investment

BUSINESSES and communities in North West Leicestershire will benefit from nearly £2.5 million of new funding following the district council’s successful bid to the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) successfully secured £2,414,817 to invest in the district over the next two years.

NWLDC will use the funding to support a range of projects across the district, including regeneration work, art and heritage promotion, tourism and visitor experiences, community grants, and employment support.

The initial list of projects earmarked for funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund includes:

• Stenson Square – Feasibility and design work for a regeneration project to transform Stenson Square and the setting of Stenson House at the eastern gateway to Coalville town centre.

• Memorial Workspace – A workspace regeneration project to convert the council-owned former toilet block building on Memorial Square, Coalville. The project will look to renovate and convert the building into lettable commercial workspace designed for start-up businesses.

• Hermitage Recreation Ground EcoPark – Building on the existing consultations for the future of the Hermitage Recreation Ground, enhance the open space, accessibility and use of the space.

• Coalville Heritage Trail and Mother and Child statue restoration – collaborating with the Coalville Heritage Society to create a heritage trail for Coalville town centre including the restoration of the John Roydon Thomas, bronzed Mother and Child statue.

• Mantle Lane Bridge Gateway Improvements – Improvements to the northern gateway to Coalville town centre.

• Heart of the National Forest – Contributions to the Heart of the National Forest Masterplan including new ‘green web’ to improve accessible walking and cycle routes and the creation of new woodland management volunteer hub in the forest.

• Moira Furnace visitor experience – Collaborations with the Furnace Charitable Trust on the Moira Furnace masterplan to enhance the existing visitor experience and the creation of new visitor attraction that compliments the setting of the furnace and the canal.

• Castle Donington Community Sports Hub – Develop plans for a community sports hub at Castle Donington College, which will include new facilities and 3G football pitches.

• Kegworth cycleways and Active Travel – The creation of new sustainable transport connections to connect communities and key transport hubs into existing and emerging employment opportunities.

• Community Grants Programme – Providing access to grants communities and parish councils to fund local community-based projects.

• Employment support – New programmes to support access to work for those furthest from the workplace and the economically inactive.

• Business start-up support – New programmes to support entrepreneurial activity with a focus on young people, women and the creative sectors.

• Business support activity – New programmes to provide business support including a focus on Zero Carbon, digital skills, tourism and high growth small and medium sized businesses.

• Sustainable tourism support programme – A sustainable tourism campaign that supports tourism and hospitality businesses to reduce their carbon footprints and promote a greener visitor economy.

• Taste the Place – Local food and drink product development and marketing campaign to show case local food and drink producers.

The council will work with community groups, businesses and partner organisations over the next two years to deliver a host of projects by April 2025.

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