Vandalised Royal Bank of Scotland building to be demolished and redeveloped

A Leicestershire eyesore is set for demolition in the new year. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Data Centre in Kegworth was partly vandalised after travellers moved in early last year.

The site has since been secured, but the building - now surrounded by concrete blocks to stop further encampments - has been left with smashed windows. Now BHP Design in London, agents for Hobden Estates Ltd in Kegworth, has notified North West Leicestershire District Council of its plan to knock down the building in February 2025.

BHP is quoted in council documents stating that the plan is to knock down the entire building, leaving just the hardstanding and slabs in place. It adds: "We are expecting to submit a full planning application for development of the site by year end." The documents do not state what the development will be.

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BHP also states: "The site is fully secure, and security are in place on the site." It adds that the work will include materials that can be used in a new structure being left on the site.

Councillor Ray Sutton, the member of North West Leicestershire District Council for the area, said: "I think people will welcome this. It's been empty since the bank sold it in about 2021 and I believe it changed hands again earlier this year.

"People were fed up when the travellers were there recently. It has been a bit of an eyesore.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions and rumours. I've been speaking to the residents in Pritchard Drive, the new housing area next to the site, and we're all wondering what the new proposal might be.

"People would like to see a supermarket there. There are also rumours it could be used for housing."

Coun Sutton said the site was earmarked for employment use on the Local Plan - a document which sets out what areas can be used for - but that the plan was only at the draft stage, so that did not mean housing was ruled out.