Demolition of disused block of flats set to begin

Contractors have been appointed to knock down The Leys building

The demolition of a disused block of flats in Beaumont Leys is set to begin on Monday.

Leicester City Council said contractors had been appointed to knock down The Leys building off Upper Temple Walk, with work expected to take five months to complete.

The Labour-run authority said the seven-storey building would be dismantled floor by floor due to its proximity to neighbouring buildings.

The council added it intended to develop the site, as well as land at John Calvert Court, to build 52 new council homes and a toddler playground.

The city council said it bought The Leys after it had stood empty for a number of years with previous attempts at attracting a developer to bring the existing building back into use as housing being unsuccessful.

Deputy city mayor Elly Cutkelvin said: "The demolition of The Leys building will be the next step of our ongoing ambitious plans to deliver more than 1,500 new affordable homes across the city.

"Leicester continues to face a housing crisis. It is essential we do everything we can to address the growing demand for high-quality affordable housing in the city.

"Our plans for The Leys site would see 52 new, high-quality council homes that will help meet the needs of local people and provide a boost to the area."