Advertisement

Historic Leicester cottages saved from demolition

A group of historic buildings in Leicester have been saved from demolition Credit: Google Maps

A group of historic buildings in Leicester have been saved from demolition.

The City Council stepped in to protect several 19th-Century properties in Garden Street. They are thought to be one of Leicester's last remaining 'one-up, one-down' cottages.

The properties escaped demolition during the city's programme of slum clearance in the 1930s, but the current owner of the land recently applied to the council for permission to demolish the buildings.

But the city council has applied what is known as an 'article 4' direction, which will allow more time for councillors to consider the houses' historical significance. The owners will now need to apply for full planning permission if they want to demolish the buildings, which would then be considered through the council's planning process.

Sir Peter Soulsby, Mayor of Leicester Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Archive/Press Association Images

"Although these buildings are in a poor state of repair, they are an important part of our city's social history.

"They're a rare example of 19 century working-class houses within the city, and they provide an important link with our past.

"I'm pleased that people will now get the chance to air their views about what they would like to see happen next."

– City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby