Plans revealed for huge £60m residential scheme

Some 550 flats could be built in Leicester city centre after plans were revealed for a £60m residential scheme.

According to the Leicester Mercury, Sowden Group wants to develop land which cover Braunstone Gate, across to the River Soar and onto Bede Park.

Some 300 flats would be PRS rental apartments and would offer “hotel-standard” facilities.

A further 250 flats would be student accommodation.

Sowden Group owner Roy Coley told the Mercury: ““It’s a significant scheme.

“The PRS building would be an iconic block not dissimilar in stature to the Vaughan Way site, and we’ve already got interest from investors.

“It’s ambitious and a big building, and I believe that with all the issues facing city centre retail right now one of the answers is to get more people living back in the city centre.

“It’s going to become a more fashionable way to live, and will boost the shops, the coffee shops and bars.

“The plans also resolve an issue of anti-social behaviour on that patch of land alongside the river, while that stretch of water itself has never really been used.

“The plan would include clearing the river up and there would be light wells in the ground floor parking of the PRS block looking down onto it. It’s part of a flood plain so there would also be grills into the car park in case it ever did flood.

“I’ve spoken to the city mayor about it and it now has to go before the planners to consider.”