Decision on plans to build 14-storey block of flats to replace Leicester Matalan

Plans to build a 14-storey block of flats in place of a former Matalan store in Leicester city centre have been decided. Leicester City Council has this week given the go-ahead for the demolition of the former clothing store in Church Gate.

In its place, two blocks of flats can be built, the local authority said. These will be stepped at 14, eight, six and four storeys and will have 222 apartments between them. The scheme represents a “unique opportunity to regenerate an underperforming site” in a key city centre location, applicant The Hornbeam Partnership said when it submitted its application in November last year.

This is not the developers first attempt to renovate the site. Last year, Leicester City Council planning officers threw out a 262-flat scheme over concerns it impacted views to nearby heritage sites such as St Margaret’s Church. The then proposed 14, 10, eight and six storey block would have been “excessive and representative of overdevelopment”, and would have “dominated” the area, planning officers determined. However, the council ruled this latest plan was "acceptable" in terms of layout and height.

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Officers added the proposed eight storey building fronting Church Gate was in line with the height of the approved scheme at 97 Church Gate. They said this would provide some consistency of height to the northern end of the street.

The tallest part of the building is "supertall" for Leicester, they continued. Officers said this would place the building in the top 10 tallest in Leicester, if constructed. However, they ruled this to be going in the "least sensitive" part of the site in terms of impact on the surrounding heritage area and, "while it is of a scale to be challenging and visually prominent", they said it was "of limited harm when the views are assessed".

There will be 129 one-bed, 89 two-bed, and four three-bed created through the scheme. Landscaped areas will surround the buildings, with a private outdoor space for residents also included. A pedestrian walkway will also be created through the site between Church Gate and Blake Street, separating the two buildings.

Vehicle access will be onto Blake Street. Some 16 car parking spaces and 195 bicycle storage spaces are also included with the plans.

The former Matalan store closed in January. It has stood empty since. Officers previously said redevelopment of the site would be welcome by the council.

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