City square picks up regional planning prize

A LEICESTER regeneration scheme has triumphed at an East Midlands planning awards - and will now go forward to the national finals.

Great Central Square, pictured, in the heart of Leicester won top prize at the Royal Town Planning Institute East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence.

The £60 million scheme features two hotels, office space, public open space and the refurbishment of the former Great Central Railway Station.

The development occupies one of the most prominent positions in Leicester city centre, and has been a catalyst for a £200 million regeneration renaissance in the city.

During the online ceremony, Marrons Planning also won the award for Planning Consultancy of the Year, with judges mentioning in particular the firm’s “exemplar approach” to staff development and training.

Brian Mullin, head of planning at Marrons, said: “With our partners Leicester City Council, we are delighted to have won this award for Great Central Square, a major regeneration scheme connecting the Waterside area of Leicester to the heart of the city centre. The early collaborative approach fostered by developer Charles Street Buildings Group and Leicester City Council helped to deliver this marvellous regeneration proposal for the city.”

Sir Peter Soulsby, mayor of Leicester, said: “This is well-deserved recognition for an excellent scheme that is the result of a close working partnership between the developer Charles Street Buildings, their consultants Marrons Planning and our own expert staff.

“It is another example of how the regeneration of Leicester’s Waterside is attracting developers and investors to help realise our ambitious vision for this important part of the city. The resulting scheme – and in particular the wonderful restoration of the former Great Central station – is something very special indeed.”