100 ‘affordable’ homes plan for city’s riverside
MOST WILL BE ON BROWNFIELD SITE, WITH GREEN SPACE RETAINED
A 100-HOME development is being planned for a site next to the River Soar in Leicester.
A planning application submitted to Leicester City Council reveals that the proposed development, off Loughborough Road, Rushey Mead, would comprise a mix of 59 flats and 41 houses.
There would be 25 onebedroom properties, 43 two-bedroom, 20 three-bedroom and 12 four-bedroom homes.
All would be classed as affordable and some would be shared ownership.
That means tenants can buy part of the property as a percentage of its market value and pay rent on the rest.
The developer, Owl Partnerships, said such housing is much-needed in the city.
Currently, developers are only required to provide 20 per cent affordable housing in each development.
The site, which includes the brownfield site behind the Bestway Cash and Carry and the green space along the River Soar, was allocated in the 2006 Leicester Local Plan – a document which sets out which land can be built on – for up to 140 homes.
Leicester does not currently have an active local plan.
The homes would be predominantly built on the brownfield land, with the existing green space retained and enhanced through landscaping to become a public open space.
The habitats along the river pro
Concerns were raised about the increase of traffic and parking – with only 124 spaces provided for the 100 homes
vide homes to a number of species, including badgers, foxes, bats, otters and grass snakes.
Owl Partnerships has held a public consultation about the plans, but only 19 people responded.
Concerns were raised about the increase of traffic on the road, parking – with only 124 spaces provided for the 100 homes – and access.
The plans show there would be one entry point to the site, along Meadows Way.
Cycle and pedestrian routes would run throughout the site, linking to Meadows Way.
The developer said the homes should only add about 44 cars to the roads at peak times.
It also said there are no concerns about congestion at the Loughborough Road/Meadows Way junction.
Concerns were raised in the consultation about an increase in crime and pollution in the area.
However, about a third of the respondents supported the plans to redevelop the brownfield portion of the site, with some saying they would be interested in living there.
The application will need to be approved by the city council’s planning department before any work can begin.
A decision is expected by September.
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