£12m low carbon scheme gets go-ahead in Leicester

A £12m low carbon residential scheme has been given the green light in Leicester.

Robert Woodhead has been given the go-ahead to build 38 new affordable energy-efficient homes on the site of a former velodrome off Saffron Road.

Permission to build on land currently in use as a small part of the car park at Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium has also been granted by the City Council, which is planning to invest up to £50m to create an estimated 350 new council homes across the city over the next few years.

Work on the new development is expected to be completed in Spring 2024.

Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “This ongoing programme of house building is an important part of our wider strategy to prevent homelessness and overcrowding by provide some of the new homes that are so badly needed in the city.

“By building new council houses ourselves, we can focus on areas of particular need, such as wheelchair accessible homes, and play an important role in helping ensure that growing demand for affordable housing is a priority.

“The development will also feature a range of measures to ensure that these new homes are highly energy efficient which will cut their carbon cost and help future tenants save on their energy bills.”

Michael Broadhurst, head of commercial at Robert Woodhead, added: “We are delighted to be back building for Leicester City Council again, bringing high quality, sustainable homes forward to meet local need. We are looking forward to starting on site this summer.”