Council to debate plans for new homes at Western Park

The main access to the site would be via the existing car park entrance

A proposal to build 20 new homes at a city park is set to be debated by councillors.

An application seeks permission to build the homes on a car park at Western Park in Leicester.

The plan to build the homes on the car park, off Hinckley Road, is recommended for approval despite 58 objections being lodged.

Leicester City Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss the proposed scheme.

Officers say the site's current state is "detrimental to the local area".

Planning permission was granted in 2022 for offices and a café on the neighbouring site of the historic Western Park Open Air School, which fell into disrepair after becoming the target of vandals and arsonists in the 17 years since it closed.

That plan was met with a number of objections from the local community.

Key concerns about the latest plan include the loss of park land, the loss of the car park, traffic and parking concerns and the harm to wildlife.

A handful of supporting comments were also submitted, with those in favour saying it was good the council was doing this on brownfield land and it would help tackle anti-social behaviour to which some said the car park was "prone".

Planning officers say the proposal has an "exemplary and innovative design which should be welcomed" and the new homes would help meet housing needs.

In order to create space for the new homes, the Constance Jackson Centre, Parkfield and Club House buildings would be demolished, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Planning officers labelled the loss of the car park "regrettable" when it comes to the convenience of park users. However, they said there would still be "informal" parking for them along the park's main access road.

The applicant will also be requested to make financial contributions towards improvements at Western Park, which includes improving the basketball facilities.