19 November 2012
Increased planning application fees
The Government has published Regulations which include an
increase of planning application fees of 15 per cent. The new fees come into effect for all applications validated from Thursday 22 November 2012. This is the first major fee increase since 2008.
Note that planning applications submitted on Wednesday 21 November will be deemed to be valid on 22 November, and will thus be subject to the new fee levels.
Link to Planning Fees page
6 September 2012
Government announces major housing and planning package
The Government has announced a series of measures aimed at supporting businesses,
developers and first-time buyers, while cutting red tape across the
planning system.
There has been no immediate change in legislation. In particular, there has been no change to the current rules for alterations to dwellinghouses. For further information relating to such alterations, please view our page:
Guidance for Householders.
The Government will be consulting on its proposals within the next few months.
Read the Secretary of State's Statement
28 May 2012
Bioblitz 2012
Bioblitz events are held annually in the city's parks. They are a fantastic way for the community to get involved with the wildlife on their
doorstep. The aim is to record as many different species as possible, within a
certain time frame, and to encourage the public's interest and knowledge of
their local biodiversity. The third Bioblitz event was held at Evington Park on 25-26 May 2012.
More information about Bioblitz
3 April 2012
One-eighth of a million planning records
Last week, the council's planning department added the 125,000th planning application record to our system. The modern 'development control' planning system came into effect in July 1948, and Leicester City Council is one of the few authorities in the country to have all records since that date on its web planning database. We also have almost all decision notices accessible to view and print.
To view planning records and decisions, please visit:
www.leicester.gov.uk/planningdatabase.
27 March 2012
National Planning Policy Framework published
The Government's National Planning Policy Framework was
published on 27 March 2012. The document replaces over a thousand pages
of national planning policy with around 50. On its release, the
Government stated that: "This
is a key part of our reforms to make the planning system less complex
and more
accessible, to protect the environment and to promote sustainable
growth."
For more information, please visit the
Department of Communities & Local Government web site.
March 2012
New public art at Westbridge Wharf
A new artwork at Bath Lane was managed by Leicester City Council as a part of delivering artwork agreed through a Section 106 contribution from the adjacent Westbridge Wharf development. The design consists of a large 4.7 metre high stainless and corten steel sculpture; which evokes the textile dye works that occupied this site for many years. The artist carried out research both about the Harding family and the dying process. This is reflected in the piece; with the raw material going through a dying vat and emerging processes; and printed; as a flat sheet. The artists Sculpture Works, have worked closely with the council, the landowner and the landowner’s architect to create this piece.
17 February 2012
Consultation on potential new Gypsy and Travellers sites in the city
Leicester City Council needs more authorised Gypsy and Traveller sites to help
to prevent unauthorised camps. The council is considering the provision of up to three sites in the
north west of the city, where unauthorised camps are a particular problem. Consultation has begun on locating new authorised sites at Greengate Lane, Beaumont Way and Red Hill
Way.
For more information, please visit our page for
Gypsy and Traveller Sites.
31 January 2012
Consultation on Student Housing SPD
The City Council is now consulting on detailed planning guidance on student housing. As well as including a set of criteria against which all applications for new student housing will be assessed, the guidance also proposes introducing restrictions on the conversion of family homes to shared housing in certain area of the city.
The draft document called the Student housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), can be viewed at http://www.leicester.gov.uk/studenthousingspd
10 January 2012
New Wetland established at Abbey Meadows
In Autumn 2011, the City Council established a new wetland area at Abbey Meadows. This will provide a greater range of wildlife habitats along the River Soar corridor; will provide additional flood storage capacity; and will help improve the quality of water entering the river.
More information about the Abbey Meadows Wetland
14 November 2011
Moratorium on Student Housing
The City Council has introduced an immediate moratorium on the determination of new planning applications for student housing, pending the production of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which will seek to ensure that the need for student accommodation was filled in a way that was suitable for students and other residents. The economic contribution of students into communities was noted. Please contact Planning for further information.
30 June 2011
Rutland Street improved
In Spring 2011, the planning department and City Highways carried out improvement works to Rutland Street, near its junction with Charles Street.
The new paving matches the new high quality paving laid close by in the
Cultural Quarter.
More information about Rutland Street improvements
8 April 2011
Consultation on Planning Application Requirements
The City Council and other Leicestershire and Rutland authorities are consulting on a revised list of Planning Application Requirements (PARs).
Local authorities across Leicestershire and Rutland have joined together to produce a Local List of PARs. These requirements are statutorily required for any submitted applications in addition to the National List issued by the government.
To view and comment on the consultation document, go to page:
http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/localplanningrequirementsconsult
April 2011
Green Space planning guidance adopted
The City Council has adopted a Supplementary Planning Document 'Green Space'.
The document outlines the process for determining the amount of green space that new residential development would need and the mechanism for calculating the amount of developer contributions that would be required, if it is not possible to provide on-site green space. The document will assist applicants and developers of residential development, and Councillors and Council officers when considering planning applications.
View the Green Space Supplementary Planning document
31 March 2011
New planning rules on Demolition
Following a decision in the Court of Appeal, new planning rules on Demolition come into effect immediately.
All types of building now come within planning control, and an application to the local planning authority is needed for 'Demolition Consent' to check whether the authority requires prior approval of the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site.
For more information, go to our Demolition Control page.
This will be in addition to any other consent required for demolition (e.g. for heritage properties, or under the Building Act).
21 March 2011
Aylestone Playing Fields application rejected
The planning application for football facilities in the Aylestone Meadows Nature Reserve, off Braunstone Lane East, was refused by the Planning and Development Control Committee on 21 March by 6 votes to 5.
The councillors did not feel that adequate justification had been given as to why the selected site was chosen and they did not consider adequate measures were in place to mitigate any harm to local wildlife.
21 March 2011
City Centre Car Parking Strategy adopted
The City Council has adopted a Supplementary Planning Document 'City Centre Car Parking Strategy'.
The document analyses current patterns of parking within the city centre, and provides a basis for taking planning decisions on future car parking. The aim is to encourage economic development and ensure quality parking provision in the future.
View the City Centre Parking Supplementary Planning document
21 March 2011
Affordable Housing Guidance adopted
The City Council has adopted new planning guidance to be used in decision making relating to planning applications that include residential development.
The document provides practical advice to planners, architects, developers and Leicester City Council officers on how to provide affordable dwellings in development schemes, in order to meet local need.
View the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning document
17 January 2011
Climate Change Planning Guidance adopted
The City Council has adopted new planning guidance to provide practical advice to planners, architects, developers and Leicester City Council officers on how to address the issue of climate change in relation to new development.
January 2011
Work starts on Leicester Market piazza
Work has started at Leicester Market to create a new piazza and food court. The £600,000 scheme will create dozens of new food outlets offering delights from around the world.
21 December 2010
Ashton Green approved
The council's Planning and Development Control Committee has granted outline planning permission for a new community of 3,000 homes in the north of Leicester. The Ashton Green development is seen as the most significant and innovative housing scheme in Leicester in more than 30 years, and it will make a significant contribution towards delivering the new homes needed in the city over the next 20 years.
1 December 2010
City wins Green Life Award
Leicester City Council in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Groundwork, Wildlife Trust, Stepping Stones and the BBC were the winners of the 6th annual Leicester Green Life award. The awards are presented in recognition of the good practice in the delivery of environmental projects over the last twelve months.
The overall winner was BioBlitz: a "24 hour wildlife recording frenzy" at the Watermead Country Park over the May bank holiday. Local people and professionals participated in surveys and recorded wildlife which resulted in 653 species being recorded, including several new species for the County.
25 November 2010
Core Strategy is adopted
The City Council adopted its Local Development Framework 'Core Strategy' on 25th November 2010. The document provides a basis for the planning of the City over the next 15 years. It sets out the vision, objectives and spatial strategy for the City, and is in conformity with regional and national planning policy.
1 October 2010
Government relaxes planning rules on shared houses
From 1 October 2010, it will no longer be necessary to apply for planning permission to convert a single family dwellinghouse into a small shared house occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
The council could, in the future, designate areas of the city where there are concentrations of such shared houses and, therefore, applications for planning permission would be needed. Contact Planning for further information .
September 2010
Landscape scheme commended
The City Council has been commended in a top landscape contest for its work to create a landmark housing development. The Council took a commended award in the East Midlands category of the UK Landscape Awards 2010, for its involvement in the Freemen's Meadow development. The award is part of a Europe wide landscape competition.
September 2010
Core Strategy is sound
The Council's Local Development Framework 'Core Strategy' was submitted to the Secretary of State in December 2009 and has been the subject of examination by a Planning Inspector, Mary Travers BA (HONS) DIPTP MRTPI. She issued her report in August 2010; and found that the Core Strategy is sound and provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the City over the next 15 years. The Core Strategy is scheduled for adoption by the Council in November 2010.
September 2010
Credit cards accepted for payment
Leicester City Council can now accept credit cards and debit cards for paying planning fees. For more details, go to www.leicester.gov.uk/planningfees .
August 2010
Colourful hoardings at development site
Designs by local artist Brett Wilkinson have been applied to the hoardings surrounding Westbridge Wharf, Bath Lane, where a development of apartment blocks is under way. The work has been funded by the developer of the apartment blocks through a planning agreement. These bright colourful designs reflect local themes such as the Harding's former dye works that were on the site behind the hoardings, West Bridge architecture, Brucciani's coming to Leicester, their coffee shops, and the new apartment blocks here. There is also a reference to the free standing art piece soon to be sited here.
July 2010
£15m Leicester housing project at former shoe factory
CONSTRUCTION work is under way on a major £15m project to build 119 new affordable homes on a former industrial site in Ross Walk, Leicester.
The project is the first phase in the redevelopment of the former British United Shoe Machinery (BUSM) works, a 30-acre site aside the River Soar and is being carried out in partnership between Westleigh Developments, Leicester City Council, landowners Trafalgar Global Ltd and trustees of GS Fashions Retirement Benefit Scheme, architects Marchini Curran, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and two housing associations.
July 2010
Underpass closed for new City Gateway scheme
A major project is under way to transform one of the most important gateways into Leicester city centre. This involves replacing the underpass between the top of Granby Street and the railway station with a ground-level 10-metre wide "supercrossing". This will allow pedestrians, disabled users and cyclists to cross the ring road safely. The scheme will also involve alterations and landscaping in the surrounding area, as well as building a network of new cycle lanes.
June 2010
Wharf Street South Improved
To complement the changes happening in the Cultural Quarter, Wharf Street South's public realm has been improved. The works include new paving, realigned parking, seats, and tree planting.
June 2010
Leicester City submits application for major sustainable urban extension
Leicester City Council has submitted an outline planning application for its 130 hectare development site at Ashton Green, Beaumont Leys, on the north west edge of the city. The aim is to create a sustainable mixed community of 3,000 homes. The application follows on from public consultation in late 2009 and the preparation of a new masterplan. The project will make a significant contribution towards delivering the 20,000 new homes needed in the city over the next 20 years.
30-31 May 2010
Bioblitz event at Watermead Park a success
Leicester City Council has worked with Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire, Leicestershire County Council, the Wildlife Trust and the BBC to run the first ever Bioblitz event at Leicester ’s Watermead Park. The Bioblitz was a 24-hour wildlife survey held over the bank holiday weekend, and identified 535 species around the park. This shows how well Watermead Park has developed in just 30 years, from a former gravel works to an attractive wetland of lakes, reedbed, meadow and woodland.
May 2010
Architectural gem restored
The owners of the Plaza Fish Bar, 142 London Road, have reinstated a part of the historic fabric within the South Highfields Conservation Area. In 2003, an enforcement notice was issued under Planning legislation relating to major alterations to the property, in particular the unauthorised removal of a distinctive Edwardian Art Nouveau arched and green-tiled frontage, and its replacement with a modern bright red aluminium shop front.
The owners have worked with Leicester City Council planning office to bring about a satisfactory conclusion. The unauthorised works have been removed, and a new shop front and side window have been built, replicating the original. The building works have been completed to a high standard ensuring the enforcement notice has been fully complied with. Replacement glazed blocks were specially designed and made by hand at Charnwood Brick Limited, Shepshed.
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