Leicester City Council has approved plans to replace the former Matalan store on Church Gate with a 14-storey residential development. The project, led by The Hornbeam Partnership, will see the creation of two new blocks housing 222 apartments.
The buildings will feature a range of heights, with sections reaching 14, 8, 6, and 4 storeys. This redevelopment is part of an effort to revitalise an underused site in a central location.
An earlier proposal for 262 flats was rejected last year due to concerns about its impact on nearby heritage sites, including St Margaret’s Church. However, the revised plan has been deemed acceptable, with its design and height fitting the area. The tallest section would be among Leicester’s top 10 tallest buildings, but planning officers have indicated it would have a minimal impact on the surrounding heritage zone.
The new complex will offer 129 one-bedroom, 89 two-bedroom, and four three-bedroom apartments, with landscaped areas and private outdoor spaces for residents.