The Planning and Development Control Committee of Leicester Council met on 1 October 2025 to consider planning applications and related matters. The committee was scheduled to discuss a hybrid planning application for the Corah Factory Site, a plan to build eight dwellings on Austin Rise, and a change of use application for 36 Shirley Road. Councillor Yasmin Surti, Chair of the committee, was expected to lead the meeting.

Corah Factory Site

The committee was scheduled to consider a hybrid planning application for the Corah Factory Site, also known as Burleys Way, which included both full and outline planning permission requests.

The full planning permission request was for:

• Demolition of all buildings on the site, except for two chimneys and the facade of the 1865 Old Textile Building (OTB).
• Alterations to the southern facade of the 1865 OTB building.
• Erection of a six-storey building to the rear of the retained facade, providing 45 flats (20 one-bed and 25 two-bed).
• A mix of commercial, amenity, and service areas on the lower levels.
• A single-storey side extension to the retained facade and building.
• Up to 366 square metres of commercial uses.

The outline planning permission request, with all matters reserved, was for:

• Construction of buildings up to 18 storeys, providing up to 1,100 dwellings.
• Commercial uses.
• A hotel.
• A multi-storey car park.
• A pedestrian footbridge across the Grand Union Canal with associated landscaping.

The report pack noted that the application was brought to the committee due to the receipt of 72 letters of objection to the originally submitted scheme, and a further 32 letters of objection to the amended proposals. Letters of objection were also received from external consultees including the Leicester Civic Society, the Council for British Archaeology, the Twentieth Century Society, and Historic Buildings & Places.

The objections related to the impact on heritage, the loss of historic industrial buildings, a lack of affordable housing, public realm concerns, the quality of the proposed development, sustainability concerns arising from the extent of demolition, and a perceived lack of re-use of buildings.

The report pack also noted that 31 letters of support had been received, citing the need to regenerate the site and area, the need for housing, the provision of a new pedestrian/cycling link to Abbey Park, and improved connectivity to the City Centre.

The report pack stated that the main issues related to heritage, design, townscape, connectivity, ecology and public realm. It also noted that the application was recommended for conditional approval, subject to concluding detail to be secured by a Section 106 Agreement¹.

The report pack included a summary of Historic England's position:

HE continue to advise that the proposals would cause harm to the significance of the Grade II* Abbey Park registered park and garden, and the significance that the Grade I Listed St Margaret's Church and Abbey Park derive from their setting. The proposals could also impact on nationally significant undesignated archaeology and the resultant loss of the majority of the locally listed buildings would result in the loss of an important heritage site in Leicester.

Austin Rise, Grantham Road

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for the construction of eight dwellings on land at the corner of Austin Rise and Grantham Road. The proposed dwellings included four one-bedroom, two two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom homes, all designed to meet M4(2) accessibility standards² and Nationally Described Space Standards.

The report pack noted that the application was brought to the committee due to the receipt of 17 objections, raising concerns about the acceptability of the development in principle, its impact on existing commercial properties, and its impact on the highway, including on-street parking. Councillor Bonham also raised concerns regarding highway impact and parking. One supporting comment was received.

The report pack stated that the application was recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

Shirley Road

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a change of use at 36 Shirley Road from a dwelling (Class C3³) to a residential care home (Class C2⁴), accommodating a maximum of two residents in care.

The report pack noted that the application was brought to the committee because the agent is the husband of a councillor. The main issues identified were the principle of development and character of the area, the amenity of neighbouring residents, living conditions for future occupiers, and parking. One objection from a neighbour was received, citing concerns about the appropriateness of the use in the area, the suitability of the property, and potential restrictions on neighbouring properties.

The report pack stated that the application was recommended for approval.