The Conservation Advisory Panel of Leicester City Council met on Wednesday 15 April 2026 to consider a range of development proposals impacting the city's heritage. The meeting's agenda included discussions on several planning applications, with a particular focus on developments at 31 Granby Street and the land and buildings on the East Side of Old Mill Lane.

Current Development Proposals

The panel was scheduled to review several planning applications, with detailed discussions anticipated for specific sites.

31 Granby Street

This application, concerning planning applications 20251355 and 20251366, involved the latest iteration of a scheme at the 31 Granby Street site. Key amendments included a revised mechanical and electrical (M&E) strategy, an alternative colonnade screen treatment, and changes to the rear development fronting Town Hall Square. The panel was expected to consider the principle of development, the purpose of a proposed canopy, and the necessity for widening the existing rear entrance. Specific attention was to be given to the treatment of the colonnade, with a general agreement that a glazed screen should be offset from the arcade to ensure reversibility. Concerns were raised regarding the design quality of the screen, particularly the arrangement of glazing bars, and the potential impact of M&E panels on windows. The historical banking counter's whereabouts were also to be discussed.

For the exterior, the addition of new railings to the entrance corner on Granby Street and Bishop Street was to be considered, with the quality of workmanship being critical for this highly graded building. It was suggested that a condition be added to ensure new railings are provided by a specialist blacksmith. The rear development remained contentious, with panellists expected to question the decision to use the vehicle loading bay as a datum for the canopy's height. The canopy design itself was to be criticised for its imposing height, oppressive roof form, and details such as rainwater goods. The use of timber cladding within the seating area was considered an incongruous choice. Concerns were also raised about the widening of the rear entrance, which could visually disrupt the carefully considered topography of the site and pavement. Overall, the rear development was viewed as poorly conceived, lacking justification, and potentially harmful.

Land and Buildings on the East Side of Old Mill Lane, (Formerly) 81-95 Sanvey Gate

This application, planning application 20242258, was an amended scheme. The panel was scheduled to discuss its acceptability in terms of height, while reserving judgment on the more detailed design. Discussions were anticipated regarding the building forming a datum line for future development that would extend the city core. Ultimately, the redevelopment of the site was viewed as acceptable in terms of its impact on relevant heritage assets. Neil Finn, who had previously investigated the site, was expected to draw attention to its archaeological interest.

Trees outside City Rooms on corner of Hotel Street and Market Place South

The panel was scheduled to discuss the trees located outside the City Rooms on the corner of Hotel Street and Market Place South. The importance of trees in the urban environment was to be recognised, along with the hazards of removing long-established trees, such as the risk of heave and potential flooding impacts. However, attention was also to be drawn to the benefit of opening up views of the highly graded listed building and the potential risk posed by the root systems of larger trees to building foundations. A range of views were expected to be expressed, including comments on the potential for reducing the canopy of the trees and the fact that views opened up more seasonally.

The panel was also scheduled to note the following applications without comment:

• 101-105 High Street, The High Cross (Planning application 20251076)
• 73 Granby Street, Ramada Jarvis (The Grand Hotel) (Planning application 20252050)
• 96a Clarendon Park Road (Planning application 20251977)
• 64 St Barnabas Road (Planning application 20251214)
• 50 Kate Street, Flats 1 and 2 (Planning application 20260111)
• 4 Birkdale Avenue (Planning application 20260119)
• 49 Highfield Street (Planning application 20260066)
• 19-21 Main Street, Evington (Planning application 20260150)
• 60 Clarendon Park Road (Planning application 20260117)
• 16 Ratcliffe Road (Planning application 20260216)
• 368 London Road, Gables Hotel (Planning permission 20260135)
• St Hugh's Parish Church, Sturdee Road (Planning permission 20260003)

Additionally, the panel was to consider a pre-application for development at Mayflower Primary School, Evington Drive, under reference 202690030P.

Further development proposals were listed for information, with details available upon request:

• 32 Ratcliffe Road, Inglewood (Planning applications 20260167 and 20260168)
• 31 Granby Street, ISKCON (Planning applications 20251365 and 20251366)
• 94-98 Regent Road (Planning application 20251441)
• 191 Ross Walk (Planning application 20252061)
• 12 Lower Brown Street, Knightsbridge House (Planning application 20251991)
• Leicester Central Fire Station, Lancaster Place (Planning applications 20260251 and 20260337)
• 3 St James Street (Planning applications 20260252 and 20260304)
• 1c Glenfield Road (Planning application 20260214)
• 20 Stoughton Road (Planning application 20260288)
• 198 London Road, The Old Horse (Planning application 20260364)
• Slater Street Primary School (Planning applications 20260372 and 20260373)
• 195 Gwendolen Road (Planning application 20260215)