City centre scheme to house 475 students given green light

Plans to turn a long-derelict former hotel into a major student accommodation scheme in the centre of Leicester have been given the backing of councillors.

Land Invest’s plans for the old International Hotel building on Rutland Street to house 475 students across 425 studio flats and 10 five-bed apartments have been given the green light by the city council’s planning committee.

The scheme will run by True Student and will include a cafe, gym and workspace. The development is being designed by KKA Architects.

Plans to turn the run down building into student flats stalled earlier last year. Then, it was thought the new scheme would be ready for the 2021 academic year.

The International Hotel closed down in 2009 and has been derelict ever since. It has become a blight on the city centre and has been subject vandalism in recent years.