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MAJOR NEW MULTI-MILLION REGENERATION SCHEME IN MOTION AT CITY ’ S FORMER ABBEY LANE BUS DEPOT
Construction work has started on a multi-million development by Jessup Partnerships to transform Leicester ’ s iconic former bus depot on Abbey Lane into 117 homes for housing association Midland Heart .
The site which has sat empty since 2007 , will be the biggest residential scheme in the city and will be made up of a mix of 103 semi-detached and terraced houses , ranging from two , three , and four bedrooms , as well as 14 maisonettes .
The Edwardian depot building itself opened in 1904 and construction work is to be completed by winter 2024 . All the homes will be timber-framed as part of Jessup ’ s commitment to adopting sustainable business methods , while it continues to develop on its strong ESG credentials .
Leicester-based RG + P Architects has designed the new homes , which will include 29 two-bedroom houses , 70 threebedroom houses , and four four-bedroom houses as well as 12 one-bedroom maisonettes and two-bedroom maisonettes .
Chris Timmins , Managing Director at Jessup , which opened an office at Meridian earlier this year said : “ This is an iconic site and we understand its importance to the city . We are honoured to have the opportunity alongside our partners Midland Heart to transform this derelict site which has stood disused for so long into new homes for families and first-time home buyers in Leicester .”
Midland Heart Executive Director of Finance and Growth , Joe Reeves , said : “ We are delighted to be working with Jessup on this project .
“ The Abbey Lane Bus Depot site has been derelict for some years and it ’ s great to be able to use our joint expertise to regenerate it into homes for affordable rent and shared ownership . Not only will this project transform a disused brownfield site but provide much needed affordable housing in the city .”
The development is situated right across the road from Abbey Park which hosts sprawling 32-acre grounds , with a river and flower displays set on top of Augustinian monastery ruins . The site also has great transport routes being just two miles from Leicester City Centre and on bus route 54A .
The site is also just a four-minute drive from Ross Walk Nature Reserve which is perfect for any canine companions and is just a five-minute drive to Cossington Recreation Ground which boasts a floodlit outdoor ball court , a 30-meter indoor swimming pool , sauna facilities , and a gym .
Jessup ’ s 96-strong team provides a full development management service from land acquisition and planning consent , through to the construction of high-quality homes across the wider Midlands . Jessup also benefits from preferred partner status with Homes England .
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