Wilson Bowden granted planning for huge Leicester scheme

Wilson Bowden Development has been granted planning permission for a 30ha employment-led scheme in Glenfield Park, Leicester.

The mixed-use commercial development will create 2,500 jobs in Leicester and the surrounding area over the next 10 years. It will comprise 80,000ft² of office space, 1.1m ft² of warehousing and industrial units, a local centre and 250 family homes.

Outdoor enhancements will include a children’s play area and allotments, as well as improvements to roads, footpaths and cycleways.

Permission for the scheme was granted by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles following an initial refusal by Blaby District Council. The Secretary of State decided to approve the scheme on the basis that the employment and housing benefits outweighed significant local opposition to the development.

Nick Richardson, managing director of Wilson Bowden Developments, said: “We have been working on this for some time and the site is one of the best opportunities for employment land in the region. It’s very pleasing to see the Secretary of State has accepted the arguments we’ve made about the importance of economic development in this area and the impact it will have on employment and growth.”

Martin Traynor, chief executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “In Leicester and Leicestershire we are desperately short of good quality employment land in key locations. Opening up sites such as Glenfield Park will attract new businesses to the area and provide new space for local companies looking to expand.”