Car park plan for site of former city tower block

Demolition of the old council flats was completed in 2023

A new car park is set to be created on what was once the site of one of Leicester's tallest buildings.

The land in Highfields was home to Goscote House, a 23-storey block of 134 council flats.

Leicester City Council decided in 2018 to demolish the 1970s-built structure and relocate its tenants after it was deemed to no longer meet the "standards expected of modern accommodation".

The demolition of the 66m (216ft) building was completed in 2023, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), and planning officers have now approved a plan by the authority to turn the land into a public car park, with an "initial limited period of three years".

Residents previously said Goscote House had become an eyesore

In planning documents, officers said "ultimately the site would be brought back into use at some point ideally for residential use", but that the temporary nature of the plan for a public car park did not "prejudice the long-term use of the site".

Planning officers also highlighted a need for parking spaces to serve St Peters Health Centre, located opposite the former tower block site, the LDRS said.

The car park, once open, would provide 35 spaces, including two designated for disabled parking, and operate for 24 hours a day.

Access would be from Willow Court with drivers exiting via Moon Close, according to the LDRS.

A one-way system would be enforced.

The authority said parking would cost drivers £1 per hour or for free for Blue Badge holders.

A spokesman for the city council said work would start this week, with the car park expected to open to the public from November.