Flats demolition plan reveals asbestos concerns

The Leys building has stood empty for a number of years

A disused block of flats in Leicester earmarked for demolition would have to be torn down by hand due to asbestos, planning documents reveal.

The Leys building off Upper Temple Walk in Beaumont Leys has been empty for seven years and fallen into a "state of disrepair", the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Leicester City Council wants to demolish it to make way for 52 new homes on the site and on vacant land nearby.

If approved, the authority said it hoped the demolition could be completed in December.

The building was bought by the city council in 2019, but two previous attempts to redevelop it came to nothing after building defects resulted in increased project costs.

An application seeking demolition approval reveal concerns over asbestos in the building, which would need to be "handled carefully" and removed by a licensed company, said the LDRS.

The building would need to be torn down by hand, while no crushing or burning of materials would be allowed on the site and no explosives can be used, the authority said.

Temporary screening would also be installed to reduce dust impacting on the nearby school and homes.

The council said it hoped a decision on whether to approve the demolition would be made by 5 September.