Leicester: Plan to start work on new £6.25m industrial units

Cash for the project will be provided from the government's Levelling Up fund

New low-carbon industrial units are set to be built on the site of former city council offices.

Four buildings on land off Blackbird Road in Leicester will be home to 21 units designed for start-ups and growing businesses.

Plans for the £6.25m project were approved by Leicester City Council on 26 January.

Work on the development is due to start this month and is expected to take around eight months to complete.

The land was previously home to the Ian Marlow Centre - a housing depot used by Leicester City Council as offices, workshops and storage buildings.

The project will create over over 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sq m) of light industrial workspace, along with six electrical vehicle charging points and safe storage for bicycles.

The authority said the new buildings would include roof-mounted solar panels, "super insulation" and low-energy smart lighting.

Units 'much-needed'

Deputy city mayor councillor Adam Clarke, who leads on culture, economy and climate, said: "These new industrial units will breathe new life into a vacant council site and help meet the urgent demand for commercial and industrial workspaces for start-up and growing businesses within Leicester city.

"Along with supporting local employers and the creation of new jobs, this development also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting the local economy through investment in cleaner, greener low-carbon infrastructure which will support the future prosperity of our growing city."

The authority said Leicester-based Brackley Property Developments Ltd was awarded the contract following a competitive tendering process.

Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of the company, said: "We have cleared the site in readiness for construction of much-needed small business units for local occupiers.

"The scheme will contribute to the council's efforts to attract and retain high-tech industries in Leicester, with the potential to support new jobs and business growth."