Work has started on a multi-million development to transform Leicester’s former Abbey Lane bus depot into 117 homes.
Jessup Partnerships has started working on the new homes for housing association Midland Heart.
The land, between Abbey Park and Belgrave, has been derelict since 2007, and sits in the heart of an inner city area which has seen millions of pounds of investment in recent years.
The developer said it will be the biggest new residential scheme in the city, made up of a mix of 103 semi-detached and terraced houses - ranging from two to four bedrooms - as well as 14 maisonettes.
Construction work is expected to be completed by winter 2024 and all the homes will be timber-framed in line with a Jessup commitment to sustainable building practices.
Leicester-based RG+P Architects has designed the new homes, which will include 29 two-bedroom houses, 70 three-bedroom houses, and four four-bedroom houses as well as the 12 one-bedroom maisonettes and two-bedroom maisonettes.
Chris Timmins is managing director at Jessup, which opened an office on the city’s Meridian Business Park earlier this year.
He 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 director 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.”
