£850,000 revamp of city estate proposed
IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE NEW PARKING BAYS, LANDSCAPING
PART of a housing estate could be given a major transformation to improve the “look and feel” of the area for residents.
Leicester City Council has drawn up designs for an £850,000 revamp of the area near Ottawa Road and the corner of Edmonton Road in St Matthew’s, near the city centre, in a bid to cut crime and create more parking spaces.
Old brick garages and bin stores could be replaced with parking bays, new street lighting and railings could be installed and an alleyway connecting the street to St Matthew’s Way, which has been deemed unsafe, would also be closed.
Improvements would be made to a communal courtyard nearby in Lethbridge Close to make the area more open and safe. Raised flowerbeds would also be put in, landscaping work would be carried out and a partially hidden pathway would be removed.
Gardens facing on to St Matthew’s Way would also have screens installed to reduce traffic noise and improve privacy for residents, who will be given sheds, see undergrowth and brambles cleared, washing lines replaced and private patio areas installed outside ground floor flats.
If the plans are given the full go ahead, work could begin as early as this year.
The scheme has been devised following long-term work with the neighbourhood housing team, ward councillors and the tenants’ and residents’ association, which listed several problems they want to see addressed – including safety, fly-tipping and shortage of parking.
Locals have the chance to give their views on the proposals in an online survey on the city council’s website.
Assistant city mayor for housing Councillor Elly Cutkelvin said: “We’ve been working with our housing team and residents to look at where improvements could be made to communal areas and gardens, and also to address the shortage of parking spaces.
“These designs have drawn up with those goals in mind, both to improve the look and feel of the area and to create much-needed parking bays for residents. The work will also improve safety by closing off a couple of pathways which don’t provide good visibility.
“I’d urge local people to get involved and give us their views on these plans, by looking at the artist impressions and plans we’ve made available online, and tell us what they think of them.
“We want to make sure these changes address concerns and needs, so we need local input to help us do that.”
In total, carrying out the work is expected to cost in the region of £850,000 and could get under way later this year or early 2022.
The consultation is now open for people to see the designs and share their views.
It will close on Friday, April 30. Alternatively, the plans can be viewed at the St Matthew’s Tenants and Residents Association in Manitoba Road.