The Conservation Advisory Panel of Leicester City Council met on Wednesday 19 August 2026 to discuss several current development proposals. The panel reviewed plans for new developments and alterations to existing buildings, with a particular focus on their impact on conservation areas and listed buildings.

Current Development Proposals

The panel considered a report on planning applications received for consideration. Two specific applications were presented and discussed in detail.

Development at 16 Morland Avenue

A pre-application for development at 16 Morland Avenue was presented. The panel noted the architectural quality of the host building, emphasising that all sides were of significant merit. Concerns were raised about the principle of the scheme, including the necessity of a garage and the extent of the proposed works, with a consensus that the house could not tolerate such extensive development. The panel expressed disappointment that previous concerns had not been addressed, with two primary issues remaining: the size of the extensions and the quality of the architecture, both of which were felt to fail to respond to the host building's architecture. The scale of the proposal was considered not to respect the human scale of the room arrangements and detailing, as the proposal sought to create large open-plan layouts and introduce chunky features which would sit at odds with the delicate character of the house. The architectural detailing was criticised as lacking subtlety and refinement compared to the Arts & Crafts architecture, with both features and materials failing to reference the host building. Windows were specifically highlighted as being disproportionately scaled and arranged. The panel indicated that the proposal was considered even less successful than the previous iteration.

Development of Land at the Junction of Vaughan Way and St. Margaret's Way

An outline planning application for development at the junction of Vaughan Way and St. Margaret's Way was presented. This was a revised iteration of a scheme previously submitted in 2025, with minor amendments to the arcading and materials. The Chair highlighted the importance and high quality of architectural treatment at corners in Leicester, particularly at this prominent junction. Panellists agreed with this principle, concluding that the corner treatment of this proposal was good if not spectacular, and that using flush glazing for the arcade was positive. The massing of the building was considered to connect reasonably well to neighbouring buildings. However, members felt that some aspects of the architecture, such as the choice of materials and arcading, lacked a rationale or justification. There was disagreement over material choices, and the number of windows for a residential building was questioned, as was the glazed link to the neighbouring building on St. Margaret's Way. The panel debated whether glazing could be reworked to allow for glimpses of the listed Roberts factory behind. The panel discussed omitting the recessed top floor, as it lacked quality and appeared like a later addition. The panel sought amendments to the proposal.

The panel also noted several other planning applications for information, which would not be presented unless a specific request was made. These included applications for:

• 2-4 Belgrave Gate: Construction of a five-storey building with retail at ground floor and student flats above, within the setting of the Church Gate Conservation Area.
• 280 East Park Road, Spinney Hill Apartments: Demolition of a garage and construction of a two-storey dwellinghouse, within the Spinney Hill Park Conservation Area.
• 40 Almond Road, The Counting House: Partial demolition of a rear wall, construction of decking, a single-storey rear extension, and alterations to a public house, with external alterations to a Grade II listed building.
• 10 Wentworth Road and 12 Wentworth Road: Changes of use from six-bedroom houses in multiple occupation to seven-bedroom houses in multiple occupation.
• 13 Tichborne Street: Demolition of a rear store, change of use from a small house in multiple occupation to a larger house in multiple occupation, and construction of a single-storey rear extension with a rear dormer.
• 75 Regent Road and 26-30 St James Road, John Frears House: Changes of use from student accommodation to houses in multiple occupation.
• 112 London Road: Installation of illuminated fascia and projecting signs for a takeaway.
• 104 High Street: Installation of replacement windows to the ground floor.
• 27 Elms Road: A retrospective application for the retention of a timber structure at the front of a dwellinghouse.
• 17 Princess Road West, Sovereign House: Installation of a wall-mounted ventilation terminal to the side of offices.
• 1 Duke Street, Marlborough Place: Installation of replacement external cladding and a certificate of lawful development for the same.
• 53 New Walk, New Walk Museum: Internal and external alterations to a Grade II listed building.
• 113-117 London Road: Approval of details reserved by a condition attached to a previous planning permission.
• 55 Home Farm Close, Home Farm Neighbourhood Centre: Installation of a fence and gates to the rear and side of the Neighbourhood Centre.
• 308 St Saviours Road: Removal of an existing ground floor window and installation of an aluminium-framed double entrance door and roller shutter.
• 21 St Martins: External alterations to a Grade II* listed building.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the minutes of the previous meeting.