Plans approved to transform former retail store into 14-storey apartment complex

Plans have been approved to replace a former Matalan store in Leicester city centre with a 14-storey block of flats.

Leicester City Council granted permission for the demolition of the old clothing store on Church Gate, making way for two new blocks with a total of 222 apartments.

The buildings will vary in height, with designs featuring 14, 8, 6 and 4 storeys.

The Hornbeam Partnership, the applicant, described this as a chance to revitalise an underused site in a key area of the city.

This isn’t the developers’ first attempt to redevelop the site; last year, a proposal for 262 flats was denied over concerns regarding its effect on nearby heritage sites, including St Margaret’s Church

Planning officers deemed that proposal “excessive” and too dominant for the area.

The current plan was considered acceptable in terms of layout and height. The proposed eight-storey building along Church Gate aligns with the height of an approved scheme at 97 Church Gate.

If built, the tallest part of the new development would rank among the top 10 tallest buildings in Leicester, but officials believe it would have limited negative impact on the surrounding heritage area.

The new development will include 129 one-bedroom, 89 two-bedroom, and four three-bedroom apartments, surrounded by landscaped areas and private outdoor spaces for residents.