Leicestershire Builder Magazine Mid-January 2023

Multi-million regeneration scheme in motion at city’s former Abbey Lane bus depot

CONSTRUCTION WORK has started on a multi-million development by Jessup Partnerships to transform Leicester’s iconic former bus depot on Abbey Lane into 117 homes for housing association Midland Heart.

The site which has sat empty since 2007, will be the biggest residential scheme in the city and will be made up of a mix of 103 semi-detached and terraced houses, ranging from two, three, and four bedrooms, as well as 14 maisonettes. The Edwardian depot building itself opened in 1904 and construction work is to be completed by winter 2024. All the homes will be timber-framed as part of Jessup’s commitment to adopting sustainable business methods, while it continues to develop on its strong ESG credentials. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 ...>

House prices to fall 11% and rents to increase almost 13% in 2023says Finanze Annual Research Report

FINANZE has published its inaugural Annual Research Report reflecting on 2022 and its forecasts for 2023 in the UK property market.

The full report can be found here: https://bit.ly/ finanze-report

Finanze provides bespoke solutions for bridging, buy to let, development finance, residential and commercial mortgages for private and corporate clients.

Key Points in the Report

• The Bank of England made eight changes to the base rate over the course of 2022. Rates rose from 0.25% in December 2021 to the current year end rate of 3.5%. Finanze expects further increases up to 5%, until we reach a point at which the BoE has inflation firmly under control.

• Residential property prices remained stable during the first quarter of 2022. However, this soon took a U-turn as inflation drove residential property prices even higher. The second half of 2022 portrayed a very different picture as the cost-of-living crisis hit, mortgage rates increased, and uncertainty halted plans for prospective buyers. Finanze predicts a yearly price decrease of 10.98% across the UK.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ...>

info, or to set up

Matthew Moore, Jessup CEO, and Joe Reeves, Executive Director of Finance and Growth at Midland Heart at the Abbey Lane bus depot site.

From page 1

Leicester-based rg+p Architects has designed the new homes, which will include 29 two-bedroom houses, 70 three-bedroom houses, and four fourbedroom houses as well as 12 one-bedroom maisonettes and two-bedroom maisonettes.

Chris Timmins, Managing Director at Jessup, which opened an office at Meridian earlier this year said: “This is an iconic site and we understand its importance to the city. We are honoured to have the opportunity alongside our partners Midland Heart to transform this derelict site which has stood disused for so long into new homes for families and first-time home buyers in Leicester.

Midland Heart Executive Director of Finance and Growth, Joe Reeves, said: “We are delighted to be working with Jessup on this project.

“The Abbey Lane Bus Depot site has been derelict for some years and it’s great to be able to use our joint expertise to regenerate it into homes for affordable rent and shared ownership. Not only will this project transform a disused brownfield site but provide much needed affordable housing in the city.”

The development is situated right across the road from Abbey Park which hosts sprawling 32-acre grounds, with a river and flower displays set on top of Augustinian monastery ruins. The site also has great transport routes being just two miles from Leicester City Centre and on bus route 54A.

The site is also just a four-minute drive from Ross Walk Nature Reserve which is perfect for any canine companions and is just a five-minute drive to Cossington Recreation Ground which boasts a floodlit outdoor ball court, a 30-meter indoor swimming pool, sauna facilities, and a gym.

Jessup’s 96-strong team provides a full development management service from land acquisition and planning consent, through to the construction of high-quality homes across the wider Midlands. Jessup also benefits from preferred partner status with Homes England.

For further details visit jessuppartnerships.co.uk or follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JessupPartnerships or Instagram https://www. instagram.com/jessuppartnerships/?hl=en

Appeal won for village housing scheme in Rutland

PLANNING permission for up to 75 homes in a Rutland village has been granted following an appeal by Pegasus Group.

Rutland County Council has agreed to the construction of the homes, which will include 30 per cent affordable properties, on 5.52 hectares of agricultural land off Bartles Hollow, Ketton, after Pegasus Group provided expertise on behalf of house builder Vistry Homes.

As well as the homes, the development will also include a formal and informal open space, including pedestrian and cycle routes linking the development through to Wytchley Road and Park Road; and a recreational area with children’s play area.

The new housing scheme, which will be traditional in style and designed to complement the local area and landscapeW setting, will be under one kilometre from the village centre, where there are shops, services and recreational facilities. The historic town of Stamford is under four miles away.

Last year, Rutland County Council turned down the application, saying the development site was outside the Planned Limits to Development for Ketton and that any new housing has to be proven to be essential for a rural worker or similar operational needs. They concluded that “there is no justification in this instance for setting aside the development plan.”

However, the scheme was approved on appeal.

Guy Longley, executive director of Pegasus Group, said: “We’re pleased that this application has been allowed on appeal. Rutland County Council are unable to demonstrate a five year supply and this is a sustainably located site.

“This housing development will provide much-needed, high-quality homes in one of Rutland’s Local Service Centres. We demonstrated that new residents would benefit from a range of key service and facilities and access to public transport, and the Inspector agreed.”

A reserved matters application will be submitted next year.

Development opportunity in Atherstone

CHOSEN HOME Estate Agents are offering for sale a roughly 9 acre parcel of land including a fourbed detached house, two self-contained studio apartments, stables, paddocks, manege and associated car parking, situated atForest Edge, Edge Hill Wood End, Atherstone, Warks.

Potential for further development has been identified through SHLAA by North Warwickshire Borough Council (PBA Site Reference PB188 NW reference SLA13).

There is potential for 54-100 dwellings, subject to planning permission.

For more information, contact Chosen Home Ltd on 0121 222 1180 or email: team@chosenhome.com

Leicestershire Builder Magazine

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Leicester City

Mr S Hothi (c/o Agent: John Hackman, The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd, 130 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GE) –Subdivision of terraced property to create 2 self-contained flats – at 142 Duncan Road, Leicester LE2 8ED.

Shankar Browne Design Studio Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Chris Jones, Firstplan, Broadwall House, 21 Broadwall, London SE1 9PL) –Notification of change of use of first and second floors and part of ground floor from Commercial, Business and Service use to 4 selfcontained flats – at 15-17 Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1JA.

Mr Kam Singh (c/o Agent: Mr Khuram Ghufar, AK Innovative Design Solution Ltd, Derby West Business Centre, Ashbourne Road, Derby DE22 4NB) – Proposed block of 6 apartments – at 17 Medina Road, Leicester LE3 9AY.

WPEH Ltd (c/o Agent: Muthar Al-Salloum, MAS Architecture Ltd, The Atkins Building, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1QU) – Demolition of Parkfield and club house and construction of 16 houses and 4 flats with associated access road, car parking, landscaping and drainage – at Western Park, Hinckley Road, Leicester LE3 6HX.

Fastrack Motor Cycles Ltd (c/o Agent: Peter Browne, 11 Clarke Crescent, Countesthorpe, Leics. LE8 5XT) – Conversion and change of use of disused threestorey motorcycle retail outlet and workshop into 4 two-bed flats with associated rear communal area and private entrance, plus demolition of rear workshop – at 141-143 Humberstone Road, Leicester LE5 3AP.

Plans submitted for revamp of historic town centre buildings

A PLANNING application for the transformation of an historic building in the heart of Coalville has been submitted.

The £4.5 million scheme by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) to renovate the row of terraced properties on the corner of Marlborough Square and Belvoir Road includes plans for 11 first floor apartments, a ground floor flat and improvements to the ground floor business units.

Subject to planning permission the renovation will see:

• Repairs to the building structure, including the roof

• Restoration of the original Victorian frontage

• Replacement of the shop fronts to Marlborough Square and Belvoir Road with traditional frontages

• Conversion of first and second floor accommodation to 11 quality one and two bedroom apartments, which will be offered for sale once complete

• Part demolition of one business premises on Owen Street to create extra parking and a one bedroom ground-floor accessible apartment for sale

• Zero Carbon improvements - insulation to walls, floors, roof and ceilings, replacement doors and double glazing, LED lighting, water efficient fittings, energy efficient appliances, energy efficient heating systems.

Since buying the building in February 2022 the council has completed repair work to the building, and worked with the Coalville Heritage Society to install artwork to improve the appearance of the former Chaplin’s fish and chip shop.

All business tenants in the building have been consulted on the proposals, which it is hoped will improve access and the appearance of the area.

The partial demolition of the ground floor would see Coalville Garden Supplies on Owen Street relocated to another unit within the building, or Coalville town centre.

• Rent rates will further hike as demand for accommodation from employees, students and young cohabiting couples with children will remain high. Higher stress test rates will mean many will need to save more for a deposit alongside battling high inflation. Finanze predicts a yearly increase in rents across the UK of 12.91% in 2023.

• The commercial market has not been spared by the global economic slowdown or the impact of Brexit. Data collated and analysed by Alliance Fund suggests transaction volumes are set to decline by 20.1% in 2022 compared to 2021.

• Office space demand will continue to fall in the coming year as office-based employment will continue its downward trend. Poorer quality stock that will suffer in 2023, creating opportunities for cheap purchases and refurbishment. The green office space is one to watch in the years leading up to 2025

• The retail sector has not fully recovered yet from the devastation brought by the pandemic as sales volumes continue to decline. Key issues include: falling consumer confidence, due to the cost-of-living crisis; the scrapping of the VAT-free international tourist scheme by the government; and, the recession.

The repurposing of retail spaces into profitable apartment communities is predicted to grow in 2023.

• Although 2023 may be a year of re-equilibrium, banks are in a far better position than they were in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Affordability standards have remained high, and homeowners are better qualified than in previous economic downturns.

• Various analysts have speculated that inflation has reached its peak of 11.1% in October. Finanze anticipate the inflation figure for Q4 2023 to be around 4.5%, eventually settling at a ‘new normal’ of 3% in late 2024.

• Finanze are expecting GDP to remain relatively flat in 2023, decreasing by around 0.5% over the year, before returning to a period of economic growth in 2024.

Mr Duncan Johnson (c/o Agent: Malcolm Foulkes-Arnold, Corporate Architecture Ltd, Venari House, 1 Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7XY) – Relocation of access from Lutterworth Road plus the erection of 2 detached residential dwellings – on land to the rear of 145 Lutterworth Road, Leicester LE2 8PL.

Planning Permission

Site for 16 dwellings in Long Buckby

The site is approximately 1.66 acres with permission for 16 dwellings. Of these 10 are market housing, 2 are shared ownership and the remaining 4 are affordable rented units.

Planning condition 4 of the Outline Permission requires the development to begin by 5th September 2024.

SHERWILL DRAKE FORBES are offering for sale a 1.66 acre green field site with full planning permission (refs: DA/2020/0478 and WND/2022/0481) for 16 new dwellings.

Section 106 contributions equate to approximately £53,000.

Tenure

The site – at Blincow Road, Long Buckby, Northants. NN6 7XP –offers good views over surrounding countryside with all local amenities and public transport facilities within walking distance.

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

Section 106 contributions equate to approximately £53,000. Electrical and gas connection estimates were provided to the vendor in July 2022 and these can be viewed in the data room.

Services

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: James Evans, The Warehouse, 1A Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Notification of change of use of first second, third and fourth floors, part of basement and part of ground floor from Commercial, Business & Service use to 18 self-contained flats with ancillary spaces – at Eagle Star House, 11 Friar Lane, Leicester.

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.

Price on application. The property is to be sold by private treaty. An informal tendering sale method will be used and parties will be notified if a final bidding date is to be set. The property is offered for sale as a whole. All bids are to be on an unconditional basis.

Contact Nick Denman at Sherwill Drake Forbes on 01908 061989 or email: nd@sdforbes.com

Worked out at the YMCA this morning. Dressed as the indian this time.

viewing them on site.

Marlborough Centre, Coalville in its current state

Artist’s impression of the renovation plans for the building.

Westmoreland Investments Ltd

(c/o Agent: Brian Mullin, Marrons Planning, 2 Colton Square, Leicester LE1 1QH) – Demolition of existing industrial unit and construction of a replacement industrial unit (88,425 sq.feet) – at 140 Waterside Road, Leicester LE5 1TN.

Mr Doshi (c/o Agent: Mr Jay Singh, Design Syntax Ltd, Regus Offices, One Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BD) – Demolition of existing industrial buildings and chimney for development of 17 dwellings with associated infrastructure including new substation – at 2 Disraeli Street, Leicester LE2 8LX.

Mr Gurdish Singh (c/o Agent: Mrs Varsha Tailor, DT Designs Ltd, 74a Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Single storey rear extension, two storey rear extension plus conversion of house into 2 selfcontained flats – at 40 Ireton Road, Leicester LE4 9ES.

Mr A Kanabar (c/o Agent: Mr Yusuf Girach, YG Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, 109 Coleman Road, Leicester LE5 4LE) – Demolition of garage and erection of a threestorey block to create 3 onebedroom flats – at 336A Harrison Road, Leicester LE4 7AB.

Cheswold Welford Road Ltd (c/o Agent: Miss Emma Bilton, Quod, Capitol House, Bond Court, Leeds LS1 5SP) – Erection of four, seven, ten and fifteen storey building for student accommodation to provide 351 bed spaces plus 106 residential apartments – at James House, 55 Welford Road, Leicester LE2 7AR.

Parmars Estates (c/o Agent:Design Studio Architects Ltd, Regent House, 7 Upper King Street, Leicester LE1 6XB) – Change of use to 8 flats – at 53 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 6YF.

Charnwood

DJT Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: WA Architecture) – Erection of two new buildings consisting 9 twobed flats and associated external works – at 45 Park Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2ED.

Redrow Homes East Midlands (c/o Agent: Boyer Planning) –Application for the approval of reserved matters for 256 dwellings including provision of open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system and associated works – at land off Melton Road, East Goscote, Leics. LE7 4ZH

Builders’ Problems SOLVED

Consumer law and the right to reject

Problem: Being in the building game, I have been a regular reader of the Leicestershire Builder and have always enjoyed your column, and although I have never had any major problems with clients or suppliers during my 20 plus years of trading that has required me to seek professional advice, I do have a personal issue which I hope you can assist.

A little while back, I decided to refurbish the kitchen in my home. The refurbishment included replacing all the old base and wall units with new. I went online and came across a supplier that I had actually used a couple of times in the past through my business, and it was advertising at half price, end-of-line kitchen units. I purchased the units, but when they arrived, the quality and standard were awful, and even some of the doors were chipped.

I went back to the supplier and complained and insisted that it took back the units and give me a full refund. However, the supplier has refused to take back the units or refund me, saying that the units were half price for the very reason of my complaint, plus I was a business, not a consumer.

I have since gone to another supplier and purchased new units which I am happy with. The units I have rejected have been moved to a storage facility and I want to start proceedings against the supplier – what are my rights?

Author background

Michael is a Solicitor, Chartered Builder & Registered Construction Adjudicator, and is a director at Michael Gerard Law Limited, a solicitors practice regulated by the SRA.

The advice provided is intended to be of a general guide only and should not be viewed as providing a definitive legal analysis.

Response: First and foremost, regardless of your previous dealings with the supplier as a business, you purchased the kitchen units as a consumer and hence you will have the full weight of consumer legislation behind you.

You purchasing the kitchen units in a sale is irrelevant unless there was a term in the contract of purchase that pointed out the defects and general standard.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the goods that a supplier provides must be of satisfactory quality and free from defects (section 9), and be as described (section 11), and if either one of these implied terms are breached, you are able to reject the goods.

Additionally, since you have purchased the units over the internet, you will get a 14-day cooling-off period in which you are able to cancel the contract regardless of whether the goods are faulty. The 14-day cooling-off period starts when you receive the goods or, when the 14 days were brought to your attention, whichever is the longer. This cooling-off period (which applies to services as well as goods), applies to any goods purchased at a distance and the right is derived from the Consumer Contracts Regulations.

You are therefore spoilt for choice as to your cause of action against the supplier. What I would recommend is to send a letter of claim under the Pre-Action Protocol and set out your claim (which will include a full refund and storage fees), and your cause of action, and give the supplier say a 14-day window to agree to your claim and to collect the goods.

© Michael Gerard 2023

Annual house price growth continued to slow sharply as 2022 drew to a close - Nationwide House Price Index

• FOURTH consecutive monthly decline drives annual house price growth down to 2.8% in December

• ALL REGIONS record a slowdown in annual price growth in the final quarter of the year

• EAST ANGLIA the strongest performing region in 2022, while Scotland was weakest

• GAP BETWEEN weakest and strongest regions smallest since Society’s regional indices began in 1974

• SINCE Q1 2020, price growth in detached properties was around double that of flats

Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “December saw a further sharp slowdown in annual house price growth to 2.8%, from 4.4% in November. Prices fell by 0.1% month-on-month – a much smaller decline than in the previous couple of months. However, December also marked the fourth consecutive monthly price fall - the worst run since 2008, which left

prices 2.5% lower than their August peak (after taking account of seasonal effects).

“While financial market conditions have settled, mortgage rates are taking longer to normalise and activity in the housing market has shown few signs of recovery.

“It will be hard for the market to regain much momentum in the near term as economic headwinds strengthen, with real earnings set to fall further and the labour market widely projected to weaken as the economy shrinks.”

Michael Gerard

Urban Lets Construction Ltd (c/o Agent: WA Architecture) –Change of use from Residential Care Home to provide 5 two-bed flats with associated parking and refuse bin/cycle storage – at 29 Loughborough Road, Quorn, Leics. LE12 8DU.

Mr Robert Powell – Conversion of Coach House to 2 residential dwellings (Revision) – at 55 & 57 Park Road, Loughborough, Leics.

Mr Paul Newberry (c/o Agent: P & S Planning and Development Ltd) – Outline application for the erection of 8 dwellings – at 238B Barrow Road, Sileby, Leics. LE12 7LR.

Davidsons Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Erection of 45 dwellings (Reserved Matters) – at East Road, Wymeswold, Leics.

Oadby & Wigston

Mr J Bill (c/o Agent: Paul Thomas, The Building Expert, 24 Burgess Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1PF) – Single storey side extension – at Brocks Hill Primary School, Howdon Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5WP.

Ms Miche Pears (c/o Agent: Miss Yu-Li Yuen, IMA Architects, 6 Rose Way, Blaby Business Park, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4BY) - Demolition of existing bungalow to be replaced with and form an extension to the adjacent nursing home – at 39 Aylestone Lane, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1AB.

Mr Mark Barrington (c/o Agent: Nicholas Rymer, Eddisons, Toronto Square, Toronto Street, Leeds LS1 2HJ) – Demolition of existing Horsa and timber framed modular classroom accommodation and changing block and the erection of one new purpose built teaching block (resubmission) – at Launde Primary School, New Street, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4LJ.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Philip Smith, Pegasus Group, Querns Business Centre, Whitworth Road, Cirencester GL7 1RT) – Up to 120 Class C3 residential dwellings, up to 92 Class C2 residential units with associated communal facilities, a community hub building, access, car parking, internal roads and footpaths, public open space and landscaping including a Country Park, drainage and other associated works and infrastructure – at land at Oadby Grange, Near Devonia Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4UJ.

12 upcoming big developments in Leicestershire

IN DECEMBER, the Leicester Mercury compiled a list of 12 of the biggest, most controversial and most exciting future developments planned for Leicester and Leicestershire.

THE KING POWER STADIUM EXPANSION

Leicester City were given the go ahead in September to add an extra 8,000 seats to the King Power Stadium. A new upper tier will be added to the East Stand, which will also expand behind the existing structure, taking the total stadium capacity from 32,312 to around 40,000.

Councillors have also approved outline plans for a new 220-room hotel, a fanzone, 20-storey block of 234 new homes, a new club shop, a completely separate 6,000seat indoor arena and multi-storey car park for around 525 cars and 80 bicycles.

DEBENHAMS HIGHCROSS DEMOLITION

The old Debenhams department store in Leicester’s Highcross Shopping Centre is to be demolished, and 305 flats built in its place The flats complex will be formed in three ‘steps’ at eight, 11 and 12 storeys high, a slight decrease from the 15-storey building outlined in the original plans.

HERMITAGE LEISURE CENTRE, WHITWICK

The former Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitwick, near Coalville, is to be demolished in the New Year, despite campaigners calling for it to be saved. The site has lain empty since February when it was replaced by the multi-million pound Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre.

It is thought that council homes will be built there alongside a potential recreation ground, featuring a café and ecology park.

NEW SURGERY UNIT, LEICESTER GENERAL

Leicester’s General Hospital is to open a new surgery unit to help cut the length of time people are waiting for procedures. The new centre can be built on land next to the Brandon Unit, which is currently a staff car park. The single-storey structure will contain an operating theatre, as well as pre-op and post-op beds for patients.

OVERSTONE PARK, MARKET HARBOROUGH

The next phase of a 600-home housing estate near Market Harborough is to go ahead in 2023. The development, called Overstone Park, was approved on 93 acres of farmland off Kettering Road south east of Market Harborough.

ABBEY PARK ROAD BUS AND TRAM DEPOT

Construction work has started on the former bus and tram depot in Abbey Park Road in Leicester to create a new housing estate. All of the 117 new homes will be ‘affordable’, with a mix of houses and flats.

NORMANDY WAY SCHOOL, HINCKLEY

A new, 210 place primary school will be built in Hinckley, as part of an 850home development that was approved by Leicestershire County Council in August.

Bloor homes, the developers of the Normandy Way development, will be providing the school under a section 106 agreement.

The £6 million school will also include solar panels and air source heat pumps in line with the county council’s ‘green’ agenda. Construction work started on the site in September earlier this year and it is expected to be completed by September 2023.

JAMES HOUSE, IN WELFORD ROAD, LEICESTER

The former James house office block in the city’s Welford Road will be knocked down to allow the site to be redeveloped. There would be 351 student bedspaces and 106 residential apartments, if the plan is approved. At its highest point the building would rise to 15 storeys. There would also a seven-storey section and a three-storey section attached.

SOLAR FARM AT POOLE FARM, QUORN

A 55 acre solar farm will be built in the Leicestershire countryside, which will power thousands of homes near Loughborough. The farm which is found between the River Soar and the A6 on the outskirts of Quorn will generate enough to electricity to power more than 3,000 homes.

WESTERN PARK OPEN AIR SCHOOL

An historic Leicester school building can be turned into offices and a café, councillors decided in August.

The Western Park Open Air School is to be demolished and replaced with new buildings, another five will be restored and converted into small office buildings. The final building at the far south-east of the site will be extended from the back and converted into a café and community space.

HMP FOSSE WAY, GLEN PARVA

A new category C prison is currently under construction in Glen Parva and is set to be opened next year. The prison is being built as part of the Government’s aims to create 20,000 new prison places by 2025 and will be focused on training and resettling prisoners.

CATHERINE INFANT SCHOOL, LEICESTER

The school in Ulverscroft Road will be demolished and rebuilt after Government officials deemed it to be in poor condition. A new two-storey facility will be built on the site of the existing one-storey building, but is to have a smaller footprint to allow room for temporary classrooms in the northern part of the site during the construction.

I really like driverless cars. In fact the other day I saw a whole car park full of them.

Blaby

Ms Charlotte Kozlowski (c/o Agent: Richard Cooke, Marrons Planning, Bridgeway House, Bridgeway, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6YX) – Erection of 2 dwellings with access off Station Road and on site parking – at land east of Station Road, Glenfield, Leicester.

Mr S James & Mrs P Taylor (c/o Agent: Simon Tindle, Brown & Co, The Fairways, Wyboston Lakes, Great North Road, St Neots, MK43 3AL) – Demolition of agricultural barns and erection of 3 dwellings including associated access road and hardstanding – at 21 Billington Road, East Elmesthorpe, Leics. LE9 7SB.

Mr J Biggadike (c/o Agent: Patrick Rayson, Building Design Group Ltd, First Floor Suite, Bitterscote House, Bonehill Road, Tamworth B78 3HQ) – Construction of new cosmetic repair unit – at Former Works, Hazel Drive, Braunstone Town, Leicester LE3 2JE.

N.W. Leics.

Ms Marquez (c/o Agent: Mr Bell, Player Roberts Bell Architects Ltd, Barn 1, Shackerdale Farm, Car Colston, Notts. NG13 8JB) – Part demolition, part new build and full internal refurbishment to create 12 new dwellings to include replacement shopfronts to elevations that front Marlborough Square and Belvoir Road with the loss of one retail unit to Owen Street and the creation of two new parking spaces – at The Marlborough Centre, 3-6 Marlborough Square, Coalville, Leics. LE67 3WD.

Mr Sutton (c/o Agent: Mr Wall, 30 Packington Hill, Kegworth, DE74 2DF) – Extension to the existing changing rooms – at Kegworth Town Cricket Club, King George V Playing Fields, Station Road, Kegworth DE74 2FH.

Mr Andy Barton (c/o Agent: Mr Sean Smith, IDP Group, 27 Spon Street, Coventry CV1 3BA) – Demolition of bridge link and associated works to elevations – at Stenson House, London Road, Coalville, Leics. LE67 3FN.

Mr Andrew Reed (c/o Agent: Stephen Morris, Homewood Design, The Coach House, Burleigh Lodge, Burleigh Drive, Off Sutton Road, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3PE) – Replacement club house – at Kegworth Bowls Club, Nottingham Road, Kegworth.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Stoney Stanton Church Hall for sale

Energy information campaign is only the first step to make our homes energy efficient

ANDREW GRANGER & Co are offering for sale Stoney Stanton Church Hall at Church Street, Stoney Stanton, Leics. LE9 4DA.

The detached property is constructed from prefabricated asbestos panels on a concrete base. It has a Gross Internal Area of 65.1 sq.metres and sits on a site of approximately 0.11 acres.

Guide Price: £125,000.

Contact Edward Higgins at Andrew Granger & Co for more information on 01509 243720 or email: Edward.higgins@ andrewgranger.co.uk

Site for 10 dwellings in Coalville

LEICESTERSHIRE LIVING

Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot at Bardon Road, Coalville, Leics. with planning permission granted for 10 dwellings.

The consent is for 4 detached houses and 6 semi-detached houses.

Guide Price: £775,000.

For further information, contact Leicestershire Living on 0116 210 2457 or email: chris.quinn@ leicestershire-living.com

Open storage land with development potential (stp)

INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a fairly rectangular level 1.28 acre parcel of open storage land at Murray Street, Leicester LE2 0AT.

The site is situated immediately adjacent to the mainline railway track within an industrial area on the western periphery of Highfields in Leicester.

The asking price is £1,800,000.

For more information, contact Peter Doleman at Innes England on 0116 255 5455 or email: pdoleman@innes-england.com

The launch of the Government’s ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign is a good initiative but a long-term plan is needed to insulate our homes to make them more energy efficient.

The launch of the Government’s ‘It All Adds Up’ information campaign to help householders cut their energy bills is a good initiative but a long-term plan is needed to insulate our homes to make them more energy efficient, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “For years, the FMB has been calling for a government-backed public information campaign to help us all save energy and make our homes cheaper to heat, so it is good news that they have listened. But a well-funded, multichannel media campaign is only part of the retrofit puzzle.”

Berry concluded: “What is urgently needed is a long-term plan to insulate our 28 million homes which are some of the leakiest and oldest in Europe. Local builders must be supported to invest in skills and training to deliver retrofit improvements, and the funding announced to incentivise energy efficiency upgrades needs to be brought forward in time for this winter, not next.”

Investment portfolio for sale in Melton

BENTONS

LE13 1RE.

The Current Gross Yield is circa 5.2%.

The asking price is £1,695,000.

Contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons.co.uk for more information.

When she asks me, ‘What do I think?’ I think I really should have been listening.

Estate Agents are offering for sale a Prime Investment Portfolio comprising 10 freehold properties in the characterful Old Brewery Court, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leics.

Litton Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: Miss Harriet Whalley, 1 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5HN) Erection of 3 office buildings, with access, car parking and landscaping without complying with condition 15 of 18/02227/FULM – at EM Point Finger Farm Site, J23A M1 Castle Donington.

Mr Wayne Winter – Erection of Dog Boarding Kennels with associated works – at Winshaw, Gallows Lane, Measham, Swadlincote DE12 7HD.

Available Car (c/o Agent: Mr Alex Spencer-Mills, ASM Architecture Ltd, 1 Sunningdale Grove, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1SP) – Proposed extension to workshop to provide additional office space and welfare facilities – at Donington Car Centre, Station Road, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2NL.

Rutland

Mr & Mrs Freeman (c/o Agent: Mark Benns, Paul Bancroft Architects, The Coach House, 80 South Road, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4BP) – Change of use of field from agricultural use and the provision of 8 self-contained rural holiday retreats with an associated reception shop/cafeteria – at land to the west of The Water Mill, Station Road, South Luffenham, Rutland.

Mrs T Rowley (c/o Agent: Miss Philippa Bateman, Strutt & Parker, Unit 5 South View, Tinwell Road, Stamford PE9 2JL) – Change of use of agricultural building to form 3 dwellings – at Vine Farm, Back Lane, Morcott, Rutland LE15 9DG.

Manor Oak Homes (c/o Agent: Ms Lydia Voyias, Savills UK Ltd, Unex House, 132-134 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PA) – Construction of up to 63 dwellings, together with associated public open space, Locally Equipped Area of Play, landscaping, highways and drainage infrastructure works – at land south of Meadow Lane, Ryhall, Rutland.

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

Construction growth slips to a three-month low Business expectations weakest since May 2020

• Marginal rise in overall construction output

• Business optimism slumps to lowest for 2½ years

• Cost inflation eases to 22-month low

UK CONSTRUCTION

companies signalled a renewed slowdown in business activity growth during November, reflecting subdued demand and reduced risk appetite among clients. A number of survey respondents noted that higher borrowing costs and worries about the economic outlook had curtailed construction activity.

Moreover, expectations for business activity growth during the year ahead continued to slide in November, with optimism the lowest for two-and-a-half years. Aside from the levels seen at the start of the pandemic, the degree of positive sentiment was the joint-weakest since December 2008.

At 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 above the 50.0 no-change mark for the third month running. However, the index was down from 53.2 in October and pointed to the weakest performance since August.

Commercial work was the only segment to register an overall rise in business activity in November (index at 51.1).

House building activity meanwhile stalled (index at 50.0), which ended at three-month period of marginal expansion.

Construction companies often noted higher mortgage rates and falling consumer confidence as factors that had held back residential activity.

Civil engineering activity (46.7) declined for the fifth consecutive month. The latest reduction was the sharpest since August. Lower volumes of output were mainly linked to a lack of new work to replace completed projects.

November data pointed to modest increase in total new orders across the construction sector, which contrasted with a slight decline in October. However, the rise in new business intakes was much weaker than seen on average in the first half of 2022. Survey respondents often noted that weaker domestic economic conditions had acted as a headwind to client spending.

Employment numbers continued to

increase in November, but the rate of job creation eased to its slowest since February 2021. Construction companies suggested that concerns about rising costs and weaker growth had led to more cautious hiring policies.

In contrast to the slowdown in staff recruitment, latest data signalled the fastest increase in input buying since July.

Higher levels of purchasing activity were linked to rising workloads and improved raw material availability, although some cited efforts to place orders ahead of supplier prices hikes.

Average cost burdens increased sharply in November, which was linked to rising energy prices, tight supply conditions and general inflationary pressures. However, the overall rate of input cost inflation eased to its least marked since January 2021, partly due to softer commodity prices. Meanwhile, suppliers’ delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent since July. Survey respondents suggested that transport and logistics delays had led to longer wait times for the receipt of construction products and materials.

Looking ahead, around 29% of the survey panel anticipates a rise in business activity in 12 months’ time, while 26% forecast a decline. The resulting index signalled the lowest degree of confidence since May 2020. Anecdotal evidence suggested that recession worries, higher interest rates and a subdued housing market outlook had all weighed on optimism.

COMMENT

TIM MOORE, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “Stalling house building activity contributed to the weakest UK construction sector performance for three months in November. Survey respondents noted that new residential building projects had been curtailed in response to rising interest rates, cancelled sales and worries about the economic outlook.

“Construction growth was largely confined to the commercial segment, but even here the speed of expansion slowed considerably since October as client confidence weakened in response to heightened business uncertainty. At the same time, a lack of new work to

S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction PMI®

replace completed projects resulted in another fall in civil engineering activity.

“The number of construction firms anticipating a rise in overall business activity during the year ahead exceeded those forecasting a decline by only a very fine margin during November. Moreover, disregarding a three-month period of negative sentiment at the start of the pandemic, our survey measure of business expectations across the construction sector was the jointweakest since December 2008.”

DR JOHN GLEN, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The small uplift in activity in November did little to dispel builders’ fears about the future as optimism fell to the same level as December 2008 during the last recession and to one of the same lows seen during the pandemic.

“This gloomy view was fuelled in part by continuing shortages of key materials such as steel and timber along with skilled labour, affecting job hires which rose at the slowest pace since February 2021. As new order growth remained below the 2022 average to date, builders were becoming hesitant about hiring too many labourers and there was some mention of shedding jobs over fears of the strength of the economy in 2023.

“Overall, it was civil engineering that remained steadfastly stuck in the mud, with the fastest fall in activity since August.

Client hesitancy, concerns around the cost of materials and doing business weighed heavily on the sector which recorded the fifth consecutive monthly fall in activity. Residential building also appears to have run out of steam as greater borrowing costs continue to dampen demand.

“Purchasing activity remained buoyant as businesses concerned about higher costs and potential delays reportedly ordered more than they needed, with delivery times increasing for the fourth consecutive month. Construction companies now have a tightrope to walk in terms of being ready for recovery and cautious around investment until the road is clear for sustainable building opportunities ahead.”

Every Olympic event should include one average person competing, for reference.

Industry

Hinckley &

Bosworth

Mr C J Freeman & M A James (c/o Agent: George Burton, GB a&e Ltd, The Shambles, 27 Brookside, Stretton on Dunsmore, Rugby CV23 9NH) – Extension to retail unit and improved vehicular access – at 25 Windsor Street, Burbage, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 2EE.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Stephen Harris, Emery Planning, 1-4 South Park Business Court, Hobson Street, Macclesfield SKii 8BS) –Outline planning application for up to 50 residential dwellinghouses with access – at land east of Kennel Lane, Witherley, Leics.

Mr J Lawrence – Erection of up to 7 dwellings and garages – at land at Barwell Road, Kirkby Mallory, Leics.

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

Mr Mark Hopkins (c/o: Horiba Mira Ltd, Watling Street, Nuneaton, Warks, CV10 0TU) – Demolition of existing workshop building and replacement with a new steel frame portal building, partial brick construction and partial cladding with an internal first floor over part of the building – at S3 Horiba Mira Ltd, Mira Drive, Lindley, Nuneaton, Warks. CV10 0TU.

Melton

Mr Simon Hazard (c/o Agent: Ian Pick Associates Ltd, Station Farm Offices, Wansford Road, Nafferton, Driffield, East Yorkshire YO25 8NJ) – Erection of 4 poultry sheds and associated infrastructure – at land OS 480217 312274, Stygate Lane, Pickwell.

Mr Allen (c/o Agent: Simon Middlecote Architecture Ltd, 7 Mountsorrel Drive, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6LJ) – Single storey side extension and internal alterations to existing building – at Goadby Marwood Village Hall, Main Street, Goadby Marwood, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 4LL.

Unnamed Application (c/o Agent: D.J.Thompson, 20 Winster Crescent, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0EP)

– Extension to Somerby Memorial Hall to provide storage and ancillary accommodation – at Somerby Memorial Hall, 57 High Street, Somerby, Leics. LE14 2PZ.

Seabrook

Next phases of work to get underway in West End

TWO improvement schemes are due to take place in the new year on Leicester’s Narborough Road and Braunstone Gate.

Leicester City Council is carrying out work as part of two ongoing projects designed to make both areas more pedestrian friendly, and in the case of Braunstone Gate, remodelling it as part of a “Mini Holland” scheme to installing safe walking and cycling infrastructure and reduce car access.

Maintenance work on Narborough Road has been carried out in stages over the last two years. The latest phase is due to start on January 8 and will take about 10 weeks.

It includes making pavements more pedestrian-friendly by installing new bollards and cycle racks to prevent pavement parking, as well as replacing broken or loose slabs and tackling drainage problems on a section of the outbound side of Narborough Road between its junctions with Ruding Road and Roman Street.

Work will also continue at Braunstone Gate as part of a larger £1.5m redevelopment scheme financed by the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

The latest phase, which begins on January 23, will focus on the junction of Braunstone Gate and Narborough Road and will include removing the existing left-turn lane from Braunstone Gate onto Narborough Road, resurfacing and creating a new footway.

Hanson UK acquires the Mick George Group

HANSON UK is to acquire the Mick George Group, a construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycler in East Anglia and East Midlands, subject to relevant competition authority approval.

The Mick George Group, which has an annual revenue of around £220 million, specialises in bulk excavation and earthmoving services, demolition, environmentally sensitive waste removal and waste management services, as well as aggregates and concrete supply. The company operates four recycling facilities, eight waste transfer stations, 11 aggregates quarries and 10 ready-mixed concrete plants.

Hanson UK CEO Simon Willis said: “The acquisition of the Mick George Group is a strong fit for us and another significant step towards our target to offer circular alternatives for half of our concrete products by 2030.

“Promoting circularity and consequently recycling, reusing, and thereby reducing the use of primary raw materials, is crucial to achieving net zero. I warmly welcome the 1,000 Mick George employees to Hanson and look forward to further developing the business together.”

Freehold commercial site in Glenfield

REIGN Commercial are offering for sale a freehold commercial site consisting of various units including an MOT station/repair shop.

The property – at Dominion Road, Glenfield, Leicester – is a former petrol station which has now been used for various commercial uses. It is understood that the tanks have historically been filled.

It is advised by the freeholders that the whole site is available on vacant possession, or there is potential for a new buyer to agree terms with the current tenants in situ.

Offers in excess of £1,000,000 are invited for the freehold.

Contact Reign Commercial on 0116 216 1789 or email: knockknock@reignea.com

Site for four dwellings in Fleckney

WILLIAM H BROWN Estate Agents are offering for sale a development site for two pairs of semi-detached houses at Victoria Street, Fleckney, Leics.

Outline planning permission has been granted under reference 22/01240/OUT.

Offers over £365,000 are invited.

Contact William H Brown on 0116 251 4131 or email: leicester@ williamhbrown.co.uk for details.

I had a dream that John Lennon and Gary Barlow formed a supergroup ... Imagine that!

Our business is helping you build yours

Reverend Monsignor Canon T McGovern (c/o Agent: Gillick Brothers, 3 Tempest Street, Lincoln LN2 5NB) – Proposed extension to church building containing a parish and community hall, a presbytery and the parish office – at St John the Baptist Church, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 1RB.

Marie Dickinson (c/o: Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA) – Construction of a standalone two-classroom modular building, extension of the existing hall plus extension of staff room – at Old Dalby Church of England School, Longcliff Road, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 3JY.

Harborough

Mr Sam Davies (c/o Agent: Tim Perkins, TMP Planning Ltd, Unit 3-5 The Workshed Carriage Works, London Street, Swindon SN1 5DG) – Residential development (erection of 19 dwellings and conversion of existing station building to a dwelling) and demolition of outbuilding and shed to allow the former station building to be used as a hairdressers – at The Old Railway Station, 15 Isabel Lane, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics. LE8 0QQ.

Hereward Homes Ltd (c/o: Jon Gibbison, The Old Barn, 27B Crocket Lane, Empingham, Rutland LE15 8PW) – Erection of 15 dwellings and creation of a new vehicular access, with associated car parking, landscaping, and other associated infrastructure (Resubmission) – at land OS 5768, Paynes Lane, Medbourne, Leics.

Mr Hazelton (c/o Agent: James Evans, Staniforth Architects, The Warehouse, 1A Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Proposed conversion of existing offices at first and second floor levels to form 9 residential apartments – at Edinburgh House, Abbey Street, Market Harborough, Leics.

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

Mr Steven Jeffries (c/o Agent: Watson Batty Architects Ltd, Shires House, Shires Road, Guiseley, Leeds LS20 8EU) – Erection of multi function hall linked to the existing senior school building – at Stoneygate School, 6 London Road, Great Glen, Leics. LE8 9DJ.

Site for three dwellings in Willoughby on the Wolds

The

BENTONS Estate Agents are offering for sale a development site with full planning permission (ref: 22/00256/FUL) for three individual dwellings.

The 0.46 acre property – known as The Bungalow, Chapel Lane, Willoughby on the Wolds, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 6SR – comprises an existing bungalow (to be upgraded and modernised) plus two building plots (for one three-bed and one four-bed bungalow).

Offers in excess of £700,000 are invited.

Contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons.co.uk for further information.

First Time Exam Passes for Mather Jamie Graduates

LOUGHBOROUGH BASED specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie has announced that Sam Woodhouse and Charlie Lallo have passed their Assessment of Professional Competence( APC) and are now professionally qualified Chartered Surveyors.

Sam Woodhouse joined the rural team at Mather Jamie in October 2019 after completing a Master’s degree in Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University. Charlie Lallo joined Mather Jamie in September 2020 after graduating

Since joining the firm they have both been

specialisms.

As fully qualified chartered surveyors Sam will continue to advise landlords and liaise with tenants who are clients of the Estates Management team helping to maximise the value of assets and relations with tenants. Charlie will continue to work in the commercial property team arranging the sale, let or acquisition of commercial properties in the industrial, office, retail, land and investment markets.

Mather Jamie Director, Hamish Byers is the firms APC trainee mentor. Commenting he said, “Both Sam and Charlie have worked incredibly hard to balance their studies with the requirement to gain practical experience. The APC is a tough process and I am delighted their hard work and determination has paid off with first time passes. As the next generation of specialists they are valued members of the team and have positively impacted our growth.”

The APC is a formal assessment, following a two year on the job training period to ensure surveyors have the professional competence required to achieve chartership. The final assessment includes a written submission, a case study and an intensive interview.

Green light for new luxury homes in Melton Mowbray

DEVELOPER Springbourne Homes will begin work on a range of new, luxury homes near Melton Mowbray in the New Year, after securing planning permission from Melton Borough Council.

The Leicestershire firm is to deliver 29 homes at its ten acre site in Sandy Lane, Little Dalby, which features five, four and three bedroom homes, including seven bungalows.

If I ever get taken in for questioning, I hope there’s no algebra.

Bungalow Chapel Lane | Willoughby on the Wolds | Loughborough | LE12 6SR

from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Real Estate.

studying for their APC and following pathways related to their preferred

Sam Woodhouse (left) and Charlie Lallo achieved first time passes

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

Mr T Nash (c/o Agent: Mr T Millican, Msquare Architects Ltd, 1 Mstudio, Talbot Yard, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7NP) –Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 3 dwellings with associated amended access (Revised Scheme) – at 116 Scotland Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 8AY.

Mr I Crane (c/o Agent: Miss Hester Dalton, Sworders, The Gatehouse, Hadham Hall, Little Hadham, Ware) - Notification to determine if Prior Approval is required for the proposed change of use of an agricultural building to 4 dwellinghouses (C3) (1 smaller and 3 larger dwellinghouses) and for associated operational development (Class Qa and Qb) – at Astley Grange Farm, Back Lane, East Langton, Leics. LE16 7TB.

Awards for Springbourne Homes

2022 was a stunning, award-winning year for Leicestershire developer Springbourne Homes.

The Market Bosworth-based business has scooped five top industry prizes for its spectacular Hornsey Rise site in Bosworth Road, Wellsborough.

Springbourne chairman Adrian Burr collected a prestigious What House? Award last month to complete a fistful of trophies for the flourishing firm, including three coveted Five Star awards at the UK Property Awards.

A delighted Adrian said: “It’s been our best ever year for awards and everyone at Springbourne is thrilled that we’ve collected so many top honours.

“The most pleasing aspect is that they’re all industry awards, judged by our fellow professionals, which makes them the ultimate accolade.

“It’s a ringing endorsement of the high standards we set ourselves and the top quality homes we deliver.

“I always said Hornsey Rise was the jewel in the crown of the Springbourne portfolio and the awards are certainly glittering now in the boardroom!”

Hornsey Rise is a select development of 19 luxury homes on a ten acre site surrounded by amazing countryside views.

At the UK Property Awards it was acknowledged as “Best in the UK for Architecture”, “Best in the East Midlands for Architecture” and named the “Best Residential Development in Leicestershire”.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Stathern plot: £300k

Bucks Investments Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Jason Hill, 14 Stead Drive, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8SN) – Prior notification of demolition of three redundant buildings – at Outbuildings at Bunny Trading Estate, Gotham Lane, Bunny, Notts. NG11 6QJ.

Mr & Mrs B Chiarella (c/o Agent: Alison Dudley, Zenith Planning and Design, 38 Greenhills Road, Eastwood, Notts. NG16 3DG) –Erection of single storey detached stables – at The Stables, Town End Lane, Flintham, Notts. NG23 5LT.

Tanbry Construction (c/o Agent: rg+p Ltd, Waterloo House, 71 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TR) – Demolition of existing garages and erection of 3 chalet bungalows with associated parking – at land north of 72 Carnarvon Place, Bingham, Notts.

Arks Projects Ltd (c/o: IBA Planning Ltd, The Studios, Church Farm, Edwinstowe, Notts. NG21 9NJ) – Demolition of two existing buildings as part of redevelopment of builder’s yard – at Builder’s Yard, Dovecote Close, East Bridgford, Notts.

Scrapping mandatory housing targets makes ‘levelling

says NFB

GIVING UP mandatory housing targets will harm SME developers and condemn another generation to ‘housing misery’, the National Federation of Builders, NFB, has warned.

National Federation of Builders, NFB, housing and planning policy head Rico Wojtulewicz said: “We were led to believe that Mr Gove was appointed to ensure Robert Jenrick’s ambitious planning reforms were not lost, yet his first move was to water them down so much that disgruntled Conservative MPs were given a platform to further derail vital change.”

Housing secretary Michael Gove has struck a deal with senior MPs in his party where councils can build fewer homes if they can prove hitting targets would significantly change their area’s character.

Currently, each local authority is set a target based on housing needs and their progress is monitored annually through housing delivery tests.

“By ending mandatory housing targets, the Government has signalled an end to its housing ambitions and placed backbench MPs’ careers before the national interest,” said Mr Wojtulewicz.

The Home Builders Federation, HBF, agreed describing the new stance on building 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s as ‘vague’.

HBF communications director Steve Turner said: “If ministers fail to stand up to the anti-business and anti-development section of the Conservative party it is inevitable that housing supply will fall dramatically, costing hundreds of thousands of jobs, slashing gross domestic product and preventing even more people from accessing decent housing.”

His comments coincide with a public accounts committee, PAC, report revealing the government is likely to fall 32,000 homes short of its 2016 and 2021 affordable homes building programme.

MPs on PAC are critical of the department for levelling up and housing’s admission that it expects 157,000 new homes will be delivered in its 2021 programme rather than the original target of 180,000.

The NFB said it would be working with the Labour party to convince them of the need for a small site register and a medium site definition of ten to 50 homes. The trade body would also be calling for accurate, detailed and locally driven housing needs assessments based on the latest technology.

MIDDLETONS Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot in a quiet village location with planning consent (ref: 21/00554/FUL) for a twostorey detached dwelling.

Located in the heart of the ‘Vale of Belvoir’, Stathern is well serviced with a primary school, public house, and garage/store.

For further details, call Middletons on 01664 566258 or email: info@ middletons.uk.com

Redevelopment opportunity in Sutton Cheney

HOWKINS & HARRISON are offering for sale a former public house/hotel site with planning permission PENDING (ref: 21/01038/ FUL) for conversion of the existing buildings into 9 residential units with a total Gross Internal Area of approximately 11,060 sq.ft.

The site – The Royal Arms Public House & Hotel, Sutton Cheney, Near Market Bosworth, Leics. – is being offered at a Guide Price of £1,750,000.

For further information, call Howkins & Harrison on 01827 721380 or email: Athrural@ howkinsandharrison.co.uk

Site for 6 dwellings in Melton Mowbray

SHOULERS ESTATE

AGENTS are offering for sale building land with full planning permission granted (ref: 21/01212/ FUL) for demolition of existing farm buildings and erection of six residential dwellings.

The land – at Cleves Close, Off Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0LZ – is being offered at a Guide Price of £900,000.

For details, call Shoulers on 01664 560181 or email: housesales@shoulers.co.uk

I don’t know what my credit score is but I’m pretty sure I’m losing.

Rushcliffe

up’ an empty phrase -

Springbourne chairman Adrian Burr

New

A free guide published by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) addresses this question and moreoffering a raft of practical solutions to local business owners.

Building the Workforce of the Future is an updated 16-page guide, designed specifically for busy SMEs, listing a host of opportunities and schemes which are available to local employers.

It sets out a series of typical skillsrelated challenges which hold back business growth - using case studies with real local businesses including Everards, CR Civil Engineering, and University Hospitals of Leicester to set out practical options for overcoming blockages.

Many opportunities are available for local employers to link with young people and adults to develop the skills they need. Some schemes offer low cost or free ways to provide fresh talent to organisations - helping free up time for more experienced workers, offer new ideas, and apply fresh skills to boost productivity.

One of those to have already benefited is Loughborough-based CR Civil Engineering, which launched in 2000 with three staff members and one van. The company now employs 230 staff and has four office locations across the UK.

Since starting its apprenticeship programme seven years ago, the business has worked with 72 apprentices. Fifty of them remain with the company.

Among them is training coordinator Jess Gould, who won Apprentice of the Year at the recent East Midlands Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards after commencing a Level 3 business administration apprenticeship two years ago.

“I have been given so many opportunities,” she said. “I have become a lot more mature, my knowledge of the construction industry has grown vastly from speaking to other employees, and I have gained confidence.

“I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone of any age, background, and academic ability. It’s one of the greatest opportunities you could get.”

CR Civil Engineering Managing Director Carl Roberts said: “I was given an opportunity when I was starting out and I’ve found over the years that if you give a bit you

generally get a lot back.

“We have apprentices doing everything from office administration to site management - both sides are gaining from their excellent work as estimators, quantity surveyors, mechanics, marketers and much more.”

Apprenticeships are only one way that successful businesses bring new blood into their organisations. Other options detailed in the guide include: work experience placements, internships and T Levels

More than half of UK employers fear there is a lack of candidates with the right knowledge and skills.

And Sonia Baigent, Chair of the LLEP Business Board, encouraged local SMEs to consider the opportunities listed in the guide.

“The guide contains local case studies, contact details and practical options,” she said.

“It offers a helpful way forward for businesses which want to use recruitment to grow but are not sure where to start or who to speak with.”

The guide was coordinated by the LLEP Skills Team. It is part of a drive by the Skills Advisory Panel to simplify for busy SMEs the wide array of skills offers that are available locally.

The LLEP Careers Hub worked on the guide alongside partners including Leicester College, SMB College Group, Loughborough College and North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.

De Montfort University Leicester, Loughborough University, and the University of Leicester - plus Leicestershire Cares, LEBC and Access Generation, the Leicester Employment Hub, and the Business Gateway Growth Hub - were also involved.

The free Building the Workforce of the Future guide is available from the LLEP website now at https://bit.ly/ LLEPFutureWork

Unfortunately, I have one pair of running shoes and fifteen pairs of eating shoes.

HOW CAN SMEs build resilient workforces at low cost while supporting the growth of their businesses?

Green light for eight modern apartments in Leicester

Mrs Claire Chamberlain (c/o Agent: Miss Eilisann McCann, Neo Environmental Ltd, Cinnamon House, Crab Lane, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 0XP) – Installation of renewable energy generating solar farm – at land east of Hawksworth and north west of Thoroton, Shelton Road, Thoroton, Notts.

Sharon Hunt (c/o Agent: George Machin, GraceMachin Planning & Property, 2 Hollowstone, The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1JH) –Prior application for change of use of existing agricultural building to 2 dwellinghouses – at The Abbey, Abbey Lane, Aslockton, Notts. NG13 9AE.

Mr Rob Brown (c/o Agent: Miss Kiri Shuttleworth, Nexus Planning, Holmes House, 4 Pear Place, London SE1 8BT) – Erection of 5 residential dwellings and associated landscaping and highways works –at land south of Bridegate Lane, Hickling Pastures, Notts.

North Northants.

Mr Ian Johnson (c/o Agent: Mr Alex Jelley, Alpine Planning Ltd, The Buttery, Tithe Farm, Holcot, Northampton NN6 9SH) –Erection of 4 three-bed dwellings – at 28 Moor Road, Rushden, Northants. NN10 9SP.

Elgin Energy Esco Ltd (c/o Agent: Ryo Kikuchi, Arcus ConsultancyServices Ltd, Suite 1C Swinegate Court East, 3 Swinegate, York YO1 8AJ) – Installation of a ground mounted solar photovoltaic development – at Foxholes Farm, Roman Road, Titchmarsh, Northants. NN14 3DP.

Mill Property Group Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Chris Akrill, Town Planning Services, The Exchange, Colworth Park, Shambrook MK44 1LZ) – Conversion of the first floor of the building into four residential apartments, including two 2-bedroom units and two 1-bedroom units – at 36-40 High Street, Irthlingborough, Northants. NN9 5TN.

William Masson (c/o Agent: John Trotter, Wythe Holland Ltd, 10 Emlyns Street, Stamford PE9 1QP) – Conversion of public house into 3 flats – at The Spread Eagle, 1 High Street, Cottingham, Northants. LE16 8XL

A DERELICT BUILDER’S YARD in Leicester will be cleared and the existing buildings demolished after councillors granted planning permission for the construction of a contemporary new apartment block – following unlocking of the site through a series of planning applications and appeals supported by Marrons.

Developer Nico Properties will transform the Staveley Road site, which will house eight modern, brick-built apartments, 15 car parking spaces, weatherproof cycle storage and a communal landscaped garden.

Seven two-bed and one one-bed apartments will be constructed, each with open plan living and kitchen areas and full floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise sunlight. Five of the apartments will also have skylights in the living area, while two will have access to a private balcony.

Sachin Parmar, planning director at Marrons, who led the project, said: “There is strong demand for property in Leicester and this scheme will revitalise neglected brownfield land while bringing forward much-needed housing supply.

“Due to neighbour objections and flood risk constraints, the site was challenging and contentious, and required extensive negotiations with the planning team at the local planning authority.

“Our in-house planning lawyers at Shakespeare Martineau also assisted with sound legal advice and helping to secure a successful costs claim against the council when it failed to take into account a previous appeal decision.”

Will Seymour and Karen Brightman, also of Marrons, worked on the project with Sachin, providing support with the applications and peer review.

Karen – who delivered a persuasive presentation to councillors, which allayed any concerns they had and resulted in an almost unanimous vote in favour of the scheme – said: “We are delighted the development has now been given the green light as it will provide much-needed new and highquality housing for residents in the city.”

The scheme, which has been designed by Leicester-based architecture firm DSA, is located close to many of the amenities associated with city living, including excellent public transport links such as an eight-minute bus trip to Highcross Shopping Centre. It is also within a short 15-minute walk of Victoria Park.

Keshiv Sudera, managing director at DSA, said: “We are pleased to see planning approved on a challenging site, which required a number of factors to be considered as part of the design development.

“The contemporary aesthetic creates an exciting and appealing new residential scheme on a tricky back land development. The scheme will promote sustainability with modern construction methods, sustainable features and low-energy usage – making use of natural daylight and passive solar gain. A significant amount of shared green space will also be created as part of the development.”

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Pair of

plots in Quorn

are offering for sale two prime building plots at 1319 Buddon Lane in Quorn, Leics. LE12 8AA.

Plot One (0.237 of an acre) has planning permission for a twostorey three-bedroom residence. Guide Price: £450,000

Plot Two (0.311 of an acre) has planning permission for a threestorey five-bedroom detached family residence. Guide Price: £650,000.

Charnwood Borough Council planning ref: P/21/1093/2. There is a S106 Agreement in the sum of £44,944 index linked payable by the owners to the councilfor the council to commit biodiversity enhancements in Quorn as part of the general planning permission. This is a one-off payment.

For more information, contact Nick Bonfield, Senior Valuer at Bentons on nick@bentons.co.uk or 07794 157718.

Langham Neighbourhood Plan Referendum result

A REFERENDUM was held in the Parish of Langham on Thursday 15th December 2022 to decide on the following question:

“Do you want Rutland County Council to use the neighbourhood plan for the Parish of Langham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Result:

Number cast in favour of a ‘YES’ – 193 votes

Number cast in favour of a ‘NO’ – 14 votes

The total number of votes represented 18% of the registered electors, with more than half of those voting in favour of the Langham Neighbourhood Plan.

I wish my uncle was still alive. He used to pull coins out of my ear and now I could really use the cash.

Leicester College secures over £5m Office for Students funding for three new higher education projects

Briggs & Hulland Ltd (c/o Agent: Steve Bratby, VJS Projects Ltd, 2nd Floor, 181 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2DZ)

– Demolition of public house and erection of three storey building consisting of 2 retail, 2 offices and 10 two-bed apartments – at 105 High Street, Rushden, Northants. NN10 0NZ.

Mr & Mrs Daker (c/o Agent: Michael Pawluk Architectural Services Ltd, 52 Mitchell Street, Kettering, Northants. NN16 9HA) - Sub division of an existing commercial building into 2 one bedroom flats at first and second floor levels and the retention of commercial premises at ground floor level – at 32 High Street, Rushden, Northants. NN10 0PL.

Rumrat Renovate Ltd (c/o Agent: Ian Lapsley, Gateley Smithers Purslow, Glaston Hall, Spring Lane, Glaston, Oakham LE15 9BZ)

– Conversion of former school and Horsa to 4 town houses with associated landscaping parking and access – at Kings Cliffe Primary School, Park Street, Kingscliffe, Northants. PE8 6XN.

House Price Index

COMMENT

IAIN MCKENZIE, CEO of The Guild of Property Professionals, says: “House prices were still holding steady in October in the face of economic and political upheaval, but the picture has changed in the weeks since.

“The October figures show a sharper annual increase than September, but take that with a pinch of salt, as the changes to stamp duty in October last year caused a dip in prices that skewed the data.

“The jury is out on what next year brings for house prices. It is expected that we will see prices recalibrate, but it should be put in the context of unprecedented rises in recent years.

“Getting the cost-of-living crisis under control is paramount to restoring confidence in buying, as nobody wants to commit to a mortgage without first knowing if they can afford the repayments. With inflation slightly easing today, we have to hope that this will be the start of a determined effort to get living costs under control.”

LEICESTER COLLEGE has secured Office for Students funding worth £5,395,187 from 2022-25 to deliver three major higher education capital projects across its main campuses in Leicester.

All three projects will support transition and progression for the College’s current and future T Level cohorts and will collectively increase higher education learners from the current average of 375 per year to over 700 by September 2024. The College will add £500,000 of match funding to complete these significant projects.

Winvic Wins Another Contract with IM Properties to Begin the Final Phase of Hinckley Park

WINVIC Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has been appointed by IM Properties to deliver phase three of Hinckley Park.

Winvic has returned to the 82-acre Hinckley Park to construct the speculative 340,000 sq ft logistics and manufacturing unit with IM Properties targeting Net Zero Ready in line with the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) framework.

The delivery of Hinckley 340 is on the remaining 18 acres at Hinckley Park, located next to Junction 1 of the M69. The park is home to DPD who has one of Europe’s largest and most technically advanced parcel depots and a 532,000 sq ft unit let to Amazon. Winvic constructed both of these facilities.

Winvic will be constructing the BREEAM Excellent and EPC A rated Hinckley 340 in line with the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) framework for IM Properties to target Net Zero Ready by achieving Net Zero in Construction and introducing renewable tech into the building specification.

The unit has two-storey office space totalling 14,000 sq ft, a 3,000 sq ft pod office, a haunch height of 15m, 30 docks, and parking for 305 cars and 54 HGVs.

Winvic commenced earthworks for this next phase at Hinckley Park in September 2022 and will conclude the contract with the final landscaping works in November 2023. In addition to Hinckley 340, phase three will also include two other, Net Zero Ready smaller buildings of 47,000 sq ft and 60,000 sq ft.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Site for three homes in Oakthorpe

ESTATE AGENTS are offering for sale a 0.65 acre development site with outline planning permission (ref: 21/00438/OUT) for three detached family homes.

In the opinion of the selling agents, the land – at Chapel Street, Oakthorpe – has an estimated Gross Development Value in the region of £2,400,000 giving a Return On Investment in the region of 35%.

The planning permits the erection of 3 properties totalling 7,800 sq.ft. or thereabouts, accessed via a common ground driveway.

Guide Price: £750,000.

For more information, contact Alexanders on 01530 413126 or email: ashby@alexanders-estates. com

CSB Holdings Limited (CSB)

sold

The Access Group is a Loughborough-headquartered provider of business management software to mid-market organisations in the UK, Ireland and Asia Pacific.

COINS is a construction management software and services company providing endto-end business solutions to the contracting, home building and service management sectors globally, with more than 100,000 users worldwide.

Nelsons, in conjunction with international law firm Addleshaw Goddard, advised CSB.

Other advisors to CSB included KPMG Corporate Finance, BDO and Ashgates. Advisers to Access included Travers Smith and PWC.

I’ve had a rabbit’s foot for twenty years. My other foot is normal.

ALEXANDERS

THE ACCESS GROUP acquires construction management software company

has

Construction Industry Solutions Limited and COINS US Group Corp (COINS) to The Access Group.

First Homes scheme launched in Ashby-de-laZouch

CREST NICHOLSON has announced the launch of the government-backed First Homes scheme at its popular Potter’s Grange development in Ashby-dela-Zouch.

The First Homes scheme, introduced by the government last year, aims to help first time buyers get onto the property ladder by offering up to a 50 percent discount on the market price of selected new build homes, with just a five percent deposit. To be eligible for the scheme, the property must be a new-build and applicants must be first time buyers with a household income of no more than £80,000. Applicants must also be able to access a mortgage of at least 50 percent of the market price of the property. Local councils may set additional eligibility requirements.

One of the house types that the scheme is available on is the threebedroom Hatfield, with first time buyers being offered a 30 percent discount on the market price of their new home.

For more information on the First Homes scheme, please visit - www. crestnicholson.com/schemes/firsthomes.

Former Lutterworth community centre to make way for new houses and flats

A FORMER community centre in a Leicestershire town has been demolished as part of plans to build a number of new houses on the site.

The Swiftway Community Centre building, which sat on Central Avenue in Lutterworth, has been knocked down as part of a development that will see several homes and flats built in its place.

Following the removal of the community centre building, the applicant, OBJK Developments Ltd, intends to build three ‘single family two bed houses’ and 13 new flats across a three story L shaped building on the site. The new approved building will be mostly made up of 11 one bedroom apartments, but a couple of two bed flats will also be built as part of the scheme.

Flexible working bill:

What the government’s proposals mean for employers

WITH EMPLOYEES due to be given the right to request flexible working from the moment they start a job, businesses need to start implementing fair and consistent policies and procedures – according to an employment law expert from law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

Following a consultation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the government plans to give employees greater access to flexibility over where, when and how they work.

Under the new Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, which was introduced by Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi, employees will be able to ask for flexible working from the first day at their new job instead of waiting 26 weeks. And whereas previously, employees were able to make a request once every 12 months, they will now have the right to make two in the same time period.

Nick Jones, employment partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Two decades have passed since the UK introduced the right to request flexible working. Over the years, the legislation has changed dramatically and the pandemic forced an increase in demand for more flexibility from employees.

“As a result of the new bill, employers will be required to consult with employees and discuss alternative options before rejecting their flexible working request. Currently, it is not clear whether this will be a statutory requirement or just soft guidance.

“The new plans will require employers to respond to requests within two months, down from three. In addition, the procedure for requesting flexible working will be simplified by removing the requirement for employees to set out how the effects of their request might impact upon the employer

“While it is not yet known when the legislation will be introduced, it is important employers start putting in place the right policies and procedures to manage flexible working – ensuring consistency when processing and dealing with applications – if they haven’t done so already.”

Under the new legislation, employers can still refuse a flexible working request if at least one of the eight prescribed grounds apply:

Planned structural changes; the burden of additional costs; a detrimental impact on quality, performance or ability to meet customer demands; the inability to recruit additional staff; a detrimental impact on performance; the inability to reorganise work among existing staff; a detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand; and lack of work during the periods the employee proposes to work.

Nick added: “It is important to note the legal right is for an employee to make a request to their employer and have that request properly considered – but not to insist their employer makes the changes requested.

“Ultimately, employers have businesses to run and it will be up to them to decide if the requested arrangements are viable. If an employer has reasonable grounds for rejection, it is possible to insist the job is performed as advertised, even when faced with an immediate request for flexible working.

“However, employers should remember that flexibility in the workplace is a lifeline for some, rather than a perk, and has provided significant benefits in terms of wellbeing and work-life balance for younger families, single parents, carers, and lower earners, in particular.

“Furthermore, providing flexible working, where viable, enables employees to feel included, which means they are likely to be more engaged. This sense of belonging breeds an atmosphere of trust, as well as loyalty, which fosters multiple benefits for the workplace. For example, attracting and retaining employees is a much easier task when businesses have a reputation for being flexible and forward-thinking.

“With this in mind, employers should consider every request carefully, weighing up the benefits for the employee and the company against any potential adverse effects and ensuring that any decision is not discriminatory.”

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Oakthorpe development site

ALEXANDERS ESTATE AGENTS are offering for sale a 0.75 acre development site with full planning permission (ref: 19/00226/FUL) for four detached houses.

In the opinion of the selling agents, the land – at Hollycroft, Main Street, Oakthorpe – has an estimated Gross Development Value in the region of £2,500,000 based upon £300 per sq.foot resale value per plot, giving a Return On Investment in the region of 25%.

The planning permits the erection of 3 four-bedroom and one fivebedroom detached homes totalling 8,350 sq.ft. or thereabouts, accessed from a private drive and with a pretty planting scheme.

Guide Price: £650,000.

For more information, contact Alexanders on 01530 413126 or email: ashby@alexanders-estates. com

Burton Overy development opportunity

JAMES SELLICKS Estate

Agents are offering for sale a building plot withdetailed planning consent for a fourbed detached village home at Back Lane, Burton Overy, Leics. LE8 9DF.

The accommodation extends to just under 2,000 sq.ft. and is cleverly arranged over two floors to take best advantage of this sloping site.

Further information on the planning permission can be found at www.harborough.gov.uk ref: 18/00340/FUL. A Purchasers Pack is available on request which contains all planning documents.

Offers over £300,000are invited.

Call James Sellicks on 01858 410008or email: mh@ jamessellicks.com

I once met a girl who had trouble written all over her. It wasn’t the most artistic of tattoos.

Nottingham apartments scheme sold to specialist retirement living developer

COMMERCIAL developer, Peveril Securities and senior living developer, Charterpoint have sold a site in Beeston, Nottingham, to specialist retirement living developer Churchill Retirement Living.

Earlier this year, the site received full planning permission for a development of 51 retirement living apartments from Broxtowe Borough Council.

Situated on a mixed-use site, on land previously occupied by the former Myford Works, the scheme off Chilwell Road will feature one and two-bed apartments, plus communal owners’ lounge and coffee bar, along with a guest suite and a lodge manager.

The apartments are part of a wider development on the site which also includes Myford Court, a new development of penthouses and apartments by Peveril Homes, a Central England Co-op store, which opened in May 2020, and a 66-bed care home to be operated by Tanglewood Care Services. This scheme will mark the completion of the 4.5-acre brownfield regeneration site.

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Alfreton site with potential for 20 apartments

BB&J Estate Agents are offering for sale a potential development site suitable for 20 apartments, subject to planning.

The land - at the rear of Green Gables, Wingfield Road, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7AN - is situated in an established well-regarded residential area eith other sites being built nearby.

Offers over £500,000 are invited.

Contact Mark Richardson at BB&J on 01332 292825 or email: m.richardson@bbandj.co.uk

Kibworth Beauchamp development opportunity

Samantha King appointed as Director of Delivery for The Skills Centre

CONSTRUCTION training skills provider The Skills Centre has appointed former apprenticeship manager Samantha King as its Director of Delivery.

Sam brings over 15 years of experience to the role, having previously worked with young people in safeguarding, training, and apprenticeships for a number of organisations and charities.

Joining The Skills Centre as an apprenticeship manager in 2020, Sam developed a variety of apprenticeship schemes - including formwork, groundwork, and steel fixing - from the ground up after quickly spotting opportunities that were missing within the construction industry.

As part of her new role, she will be further strengthening the business’ offering for new and existing apprentices - establishing new locations around the UK and branching out into wider trades. She will also be driving opportunities for women in construction, delivering training and advice to site managers and leaders on how they can support women on-site and help them to develop careers in the industry.

On her appointment, Sam said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on this new role at The Skills Centre. I’ve

been with the business for just two years and in that time, I’ve seen an almost unlimited potential in the number of people whose lives can be significantly changed by finding opportunities like apprenticeships and training schemesparticularly those who might be in need of a break.

“That’s why I love construction, because you can come in with zero qualifications, but if you have that strong work ethic and you give it everything you have, there’s no stopping you from progressing – from apprenticeships to site manager and beyond, it’s about your approach to work, not where you came from.

“At The Skills Centre, our retention rate for apprentices who go on to secure jobs is over 70%, which is unheard of in the industry. We’re also the first company to get female apprentices through their formwork apprenticeships - and with distinctions - I’m incredibly proud to be working in an organisation like this.”

Former Thornton pub to be turned into six flats with three houses built at rear

JAMES SELLICKS are offering for sale a development opportunity (subject to planning) at Station Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire.

A revised planning application (ref: 22/00814/FUL) has been submitted for the redevelopment of 4 Station Street in the village. The proposed new scheme sees the former property demolished to facilitate access.

There will be two new buildings, one housing four apartments and the other five, with each apartment having its own allocated parking. To the north of the site are two proposed detached dwellings, one with three bedrooms and one with four.

A draft Section 106 has already been agreed with Harborough District Council/Leicestershire County Council; there is no affordable housing and an S106 contribution of £9,366 is being sought.

Offers over £850,000 are being invited.

For more information, contact James Sellicks on 01858 410008 or email: mh@jamessellicks.com

Before joining The Skills Centre, Sam previously worked for London-based charity Unlocking Potential which supported young, vulnerable people living in Elephant and Castle. Through her work with the charity, she met the team from The Skills Centre, who helped get a number of young people there into work and apprenticeships. She has also delivered diversity and inclusion training for the British Army and NHS, all of which prepared her for her current role.

On her work in diversity and inclusion, Sam said: “Throughout the years I’ve visited numerous construction sites and offices, and it’s astounding how many wouldn’t even have toilet facilities for women on-site. Historically, the industry has been such a male-dominated world, but I’m thrilled to see big changes finally coming on and I’m determined that The Skills Centre will be at the forefront of those changes.

“Something I believe makes a big difference to inclusion on-site is that we take time to teach supervisors and trainers how they can best support the women on their teams - to look at everything from endometriosis to the need for flexible hours due to childcare.

“It’s not about being treated the same, it’s about being treated fairly and understanding that women may have slightly different needs, but they can offer the same work ethic, ability and performance level as anyone else.”

John Howlin, CEO at The Skills Centre said: “Over the past two years Sam has helped to develop some of our most successful training, working closely with the industry to achieve our ambition: transforming lives by delivering local opportunities to local people.

“So much construction training is not fit for purpose, leaving learners unable to secure sustainable employment in the industry, despite their qualifications. Sam’s work ensures our bespoke training delivers the vital skills the industry is crying out for, giving our learners the best foundations for building their career and helping fill the construction skills gap that is threatening future growth ambitions in the UK.”

AS REPORTED IN THE LEICESTER MERCURY, the former Reservoir Inn pub in Thornton, is to be turned into six flats, with three houses to be built on land at the back of the site.

The Reservoir Inn, in Main Street, Thornton, near Coalville, has been closed since 2018, but Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has now given permission to developer VEWD Ltd for it to be converted into housing.

There will be five, one-bedroom flats and a single three-bed flat in the pub building, with three, two-bed terraces on land at the back. The houses have been designed to resemble ‘traditional cottages’, according to planning documents. A communal garden and 16 parking spaces will be provided for residents of the development.

According to the council’s records, the pub was first mentioned in Pigot’s Directory – a guide to local services and professionals – in 1822, when it was called The Bull’s Head. The Thornton village website says it began life as a slaughter house, and has also been known as The Tipsy Fisherman and The Steam Trumpet. The pub has been closed since a kitchen fire in 2018.

Last week I sold the house for £150,000. I was very pleased with that because I was renting.

Samantha King

Development Properties IN BRIEF

Coalville plot for fivebed detached house

Rutland County Council publishes Call for Sites submissions

Prison extension approved

A 250-CAPACITY cell block extension to the new HMP Fosse Way prison has been approved by Councillors on Blaby District Council’s planning committee.

The new four-storey building was given the green light at the planning committee held on Thursday 15 December.

The Call for Sites is an opportunity for people to suggest areas of land which they think may be suitable for future development like housing or space for businesses over the next 20 years.

The plot – adjacent to 175 Greenhill Road, Coalville, Leics.

LE67 4UF – is being offered at a Guide Price of £150,000.

For more information, contact Sinclair Estate Agents on 01530 838338 or visit www. sinclairestateagents.co.uk

Leicester office building with development potential

FOR SALE

Rutland’s Call for Sites began in February 2022 and is one of the earliest stages of developing a new Local Plan. Planning Authorities must know what land is available for possible future development in their area before they can begin to prepare a Draft Local Plan.

At this early stage, confirming that an area of land has been submitted through the Call for Sites process does not mean it will be allocated within the Local Plan or that it will obtain permission for development. All sites put forward by landowners and developers must now be assessed to check if they are suitable and deliverable.

Following careful assessment, the sites that are considered most appropriate to help Rutland meet its future development needs will be subject to public consultation as part of the ‘Preferred Options’ stage of developing the new Local Plan. This consultation is expected to take place in late 2023.

The site suggestions received from individuals, landowners and developers as part of Rutland’s Call for Sites can now be viewed on an interactive map, which can be accessed via the Call for Sites page on the Council’s website (https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building-control/ planning/the-local-plan/the-new-local-plan/call-for-sites-february-2022/)

Popeyes is opening in Leicester, with completed deal on former bank

INNES

FOR SALE

The four storey property

– Eastgate House, 19-23 Humberstone Road, Leicester

LE5 3GJ – has a total Gross Internal Area of 23,163 sq.feet, and is of traditional brick construction under a pitched slate roof. Externally, the property has a securely fenced and gated car park.

The asking price for the freehold is £3,000,000.

For further details, contact Aman Verma at Innes England on 07866 264118 or email: averma@innesengland.com

A FORMER CITY centre bank and retail store is

chicken

Marketed by leading East Midlands commercial property specialist Andrew + Ashwell, the deal for the Gallowtree Gate former bank premises has now been completed. It will soon offer a taste of Louisiana with Popeyes® UK’s famous menu, as the chain is set to refurbish, recruit and start trading within the next month.

Popeyes now has more than 3,000 outlets across the USA, having first opened in New Orleans in 1972. The brand made its debut in the UK in London only last year with ambitious plans to launch hundreds of restaurants. Midlands branches have opened in Nottingham and Derby, soon to be followed by Leicester.

The original banking hall, with an impressive arched atrium and marble columns, offers an open sales area covering over 2,100 sq ft of space at ground floor level, plus storage and offices on the first and second floors. For many years the building was also a popular Dorothy Perkins and Burtons clothing store. This folded early last year following the demise of the Arcadia Group.

Approval was also given to a two-storey ancillary building, a sports area and 80 extra parking spaces, all located on the north of the site.

The design of the buildings is set to match those already being constructed on the site of the former Glen Parva Young Offenders’ Institution.

In addition to the additional built development on the site, the proposals include the provision of new trees, wildflower meadows, semi-improved grassland, a new wildlife pond and other habitat improvements on the remainder of the northern part of the site, to achieve an overall biodiversity net gain of 3.45 per cent.

The former Glen Parva Young Offenders’ Institution was demolished in 2017 with outline planning permission granted for the replacement prison the same year and full approval given in 2020.

Originally the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) planned to house 1,715 Category C inmates in the new seven block prison, recently named HMP Fosse Way following a public competition.

As the Government seeks to increase prison places, a public consultation was held in August by the MOJ into extending the proposals and Blaby District Council conducted its own public consultation when the formal planning application was submitted.

The expansion move is directed by the Government’s aim to create around 20,000 new prison places across the country by the middle of the decade. Private firm Serco has been named as the operator of the jail which will focus on training and resettlement when it opens next year.

The site has already created 230 jobs and 16 apprenticeships during construction and when open, it is expected to offer more than 600 jobs, providing a further significant boost to the local economy.

The prison extension is expected to open in 2025.

SINCLAIR ESTATE AGENTS are offering for sale a building plot with full planning permission (ref: 22/00825/FUL) for a two five double bedroom detached family home.

ENGLAND are offering for sale a modern office building with potential for residential development.

gaining a brand new identity with the rapid expansion of US fried

giant, Popeyes® UK, the master franchise for the United Kingdom.

RUTLAND County Council has published details of the submissions it has received from individuals, landowners and developers during its recent ‘Call for Sites’ –part of the process to develop a new Local Plan for Rutland.

HAVE A FURTHER SAY on amended plans for Ratcliffe on Soar power station site

FOLLOWING CONSULTATION in 2022, residents and interested parties are invited again to have their say on the latest plans for the Ratcliffe on Soar power station site.

A draft Local Development Order (LDO) that could give the green light to new industry and business projects and the potential of thousands of permanent highly-skilled jobs at the site is being finalised by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

A design guide and masterplan for the site has been prepared to support the redevelopment, which will guide growth and development over the coming years including the proposals linked to the previously announced East Midlands Freeport and the Development Corporation projects that could create further jobs and significant investment.

The Borough Council has made some revisions to the draft LDO in response to the consultation, comments and feedback received to date and wants to hear further views on the latest proposals by Thursday January 19, 2023 by completing the online form.

The revisions include:

• Amending the range of permitted uses on the Southern Area and land south of the A453 to those limited specifically to low carbon energy production and storage or manufacturing uses delivering the net zero transition.

• To place greater limits on the extent to which the height of buildings on the Southern Area can go above 30 metres.

• Limiting the amount of development which can be occupied before road improvements are delivered or there is agreement for their delivery. This is to ensure that the roads are able to cope with increased traffic levels and to enable the road improvements to be designed to also accommodate other major developments that are planned to come forward in the local area.

• To require a public transport strategy to be approved before new development can be occupied or brought into use. This is to help increase the number of people who will travel to and from the site by bus and train.

• To require a contribution to a traffic management study for local roads at and around nearby

villages and the implementation of its proposed recommendations.

• Amendments to the LDO’s Design Guide to help better ensure that a quality new environment is delivered when the power station site is redeveloped.

The power station, owned by international energy company Uniper, will close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation.

If agreed, the LDO would grant planning permission for a range of modern industrial uses on the redeveloped site, including potentially advanced manufacturing, low-carbon energy production, battery production, energy storage, logistics, and research and development.

The vision for the site sets out the guiding principles by which the development would be brought forward, and seeks to deliver:

• A zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands

• Highly skilled jobs

• Modern industry and business uses, served by on-site sustainable energy generation and storage

• Advanced manufacturing, for example to produce electric car batteries

• A hub for research, development, and innovation, through links with universities, business support organisations and established industry.

New Year date set for demolition of former Whitwick leisure centre

CONTRACTORS will start demolishing Whitwick’s former leisure centre building in the New Year.

Cawarden are expected to be on site at the former Hermitage Leisure Centre from 3rd January after a decision by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) in September.

The work to carefully take down the failing structure will take around 12 weeks, with much of the building’s material recycled during the process.

As a result of the amount of materials expected to be recycled, the cost to demolish will be significantly less than the £300,000 originally budgeted.

The former Hermitage Leisure Centre was closed in February 2022 after the opening of the £22 million Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre on Stephenson Way. With the future of the site to be decided, the area will be filled, levelled and secured.