Fresh application to demolish Matalan store in Leicester

The Matalan store on the corner of Church Gate and Vaughan Way in Leicester could be demolished and replaced with flats

A fresh bid to replace a Matalan store with two blocks of flats has been submitted to Leicester City Council.

An application to build 262 flats was rejected in 2022 over concerns it impacted views to heritage sites.

The previous application for the building, on the corner of Church Gate and Vaughan Way, was called "excessive" by planning officers.

The Hornbeam Partnership has now applied to build 222 flats in two blocks at the site.

The blocks would include 129 one-bed flats, 89 two-beds and three four-bed flats, which would all be rental homes.

The main block would be 14 storeys high at its tallest point, stepping down to eight storeys, while the second block would be six storeys, stepping down to four storeys, and include a car park and shared open spaces for residents.

The Hornbeam Partnership has said there is precedent for planning permission being granted for tall buildings in the area.

In recent years, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said approval had been given for a seven-storey, 171-bedroom hotel, and a block of 142 flats, which ranges between eight and 14 storeys tall and sits next to the current application site.

The Matalan branch is open and trading as a clearance store, and the chain has another branch in the Haymarket Shopping Centre nearby.