Plan for six-storey block of flats approved

Plans for a block of flats in Leicester that would be six storeys tall at its highest point have been given the go-ahead.

Leicester City Council's planning and development control committee approved a planning application from Mitchian Group on Wednesday to build 46 flats on land off Western Road.

Council officers said the site, which previously housed The Community Boxing Gym, had stood empty for several years and said redevelopment would bring a brownfield site back into productive use.

According to planning documents the proposed development would consist of 29 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom flats.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the applicant told members the scheme was an "integrated and sympathetic design" which will deliver "much needed housing".

"The site has since become disused and dilapidated and it is clear an appropriate and viable use must be found to avoid the site falling into further deprivation," a spokesperson for the applicant added.

Planning documents submitted by the applicant add the building would comprise of a six-storey section, as well as a four-storey section with a rooftop garden.

The site would also contain 16 parking spaces, and 44 cycle parking spaces.

A report prepared for councillors by planning officers details the proposal had received 18 objections that raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and parking.

However, a report from planning officers states the flats were not restricted to particular groups of people and there was "no reason" they would be likely to behave in a manner that is "specifically different" from residents elsewhere.

Additional reporting by Dan Hunt

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