JANUARY 2024 LEICESTERSHIRE BUILDER online

LEICESTERSHIRE 

BUILDER 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS 

Coalville Community 

Charity Gifted £1,500 

From Homebuilder 

JANUARY 2024 

Development of King 

Power Stadium receives 

formal approval 

Lee Burgess with Ann Cave, Trudy Marlow and Chelsea Vesty 

at MRC Community Action 

BARRATT HOMES has contributed 

£1,500 to MRC 

Community Action, which 

runs a range of events and 

activities in North West 

Leicestershire with a goal to 

improve mental wellbeing 

within the local community. 

The Coalville-based charity, which 

operates from the Marlene Reid 

Centre, received the contribution 

as part of the Barratt Foundation, 

which is designed to support national 

and local charities, large and 

small, across the UK to leave a legacy 

in the communities in which the 

housebuilder operates. 

In reaching out to its local communities, 

the leading developer has 

made the donation to the charity to 

help provide accessible community 

facilities, services and positive so- 

TURN TO PAGE 2 ...> 

LEICESTER CITY Football Club’s hybrid planning 

application for the development of the King Power 

Stadium and surrounding site has now received 

formal approval from Leicester City Council. It follows 

the Council planning committee’s initial approval in 

September 2022. 

This final decision had been held pending the finalisation of a Section 

106 agreement in relation to the proposed development, which has 

now been concluded. 

The hybrid application, initially submitted for consideration in October 

2021 following a public consultation process, consisted of a detailed 

planning application for an East Stand expansion of 8,000 seats, along 

with an outline application for a wider masterplan, including a fanzone 

and public realm, an event and entertainment arena, a 220-room 

hotel, a residential tower and a new flagship club retail space. 

Call 

01163 033456 

for all order enquiries, 

product info, or to set up 

your trade account 

Visit 

25 New Star Road 

Leicester, LE4 9JD

2 Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2024 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK 

Senior living specialist 

Charterpoint submits 

plans for a care home 

in Markfield 

Computer generated image of the care home 

PLANS HAVE BEEN submitted by senior living developer 

Charterpoint for a 72-bedroom care home in Markfield in 

north west Leicestershire. 

The detailed proposals are for land to the north of Leicester Road. They 

include plans for a mainly two-storey, modern care home, which also 

features en-suite bathrooms to each bedroom, residents’ lounge and dining 

areas, a café/bar, plus activity areas. The proposals also include 34 car 

parking spaces, along with terraces, patios and landscaped gardens. 

The plans have been submitted to Charnwood Borough and Hinckley and 

Bosworth Borough Councils following a public consultation process. 

MD of Charterpoint, Giles Nursey, said: “Charterpoint is a specialist senior 

living developer, with a significant portfolio of care homes developed across 

the East Midlands. 

“We have established that there is a need for a modern, purpose-built 

care home to meet the needs of older people in the Markfield area of 

Leicestershire. 

“In preparing our scheme we have sought to provide a high quality, modern 

and neighbourly development that sits within the existing landscape, 

maintaining and enhancing the existing boundary hedgerow along Leicester 

Road.” 

Charterpoint, which is based at Edwalton near Nottingham, specialises 

in developing first-class senior living accommodation, mixed-use and 

sustainable housing schemes, and primary care premises. 

For more information about Charterpoint, visit 

www.cpseniorliving.co.uk or 

 

http://www.charterpointplanning.co.uk/Markfield/ 

Newbold Verdon plot for two homes 

ALEXANDERS 

Estate Agents 

are offering for 

sale a substantial 

building plot 

with full planning 

permission (ref: 

19/00600/FUL) 

for two detached four-bedroom executive homes. 

The land – at Brascote Lane, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire – is for 

sale at offers in excess of £300,000. 

For more information, contact Alexanders on 01455 291471 or email: 

mbsales@alexanders-estates.com 

MARLENE REID CENTRE RECEIVES 

DONATION - from page 1 

cial involvement. 

The donated funds have been dedicated to MRC Community Action’s 

Feel Good Café and Inclusive Art Sessions, for the benefit of the local 

community. 

Paul Fagan, Manager of MRC Community Action, said: “We have seen 

demand for services such as our social supermarket and emergency 

foodbank vouchers grow year-on-year in line with the harsh financial 

climate. 

“We saw over 60,000 visits to our centre in the last financial year and are 

forecasting in excess of 80,000 this year. 

“Donations like this enable us to continue offering free, inclusive and 

engaging activities to our visitors.” 

MRC Community Action, which has been serving the local community for 

more than 30 years, was named after Marlene Reid of Whitwick who died in 

1986, whose own disability inspired her to pioneer local voluntary services. 

Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson North 

Midlands, said: “MRC Community Action has been a staple of the 

community in North West Leicestershire for many years, and we’re thrilled 

to have the opportunity to support the charity’s work. 

“It’s a difficult time for many charities at present, and we hope our 

Community Fund donation will help MRC and the growing demand for its 

services.” 

MRC Community Action, based close to Barratt Homes’ Grange View 

development, provides a range of community activities from its extensive 

building including community transport, soft play sessions, conferencing 

and office space and a social supermarket, amongst many other events 

and initiatives. 

For more information about the charity, visit the website at MRC 

Community Action, and the charity also has a strong social media presence 

@marlenereidcentre. 

To learn more about Barratt Homes, visit the website at Barratt Homes in 

Leicestershire. 

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Work begins on 

restoration of Grand 

Hotel’s historic 

shopfronts 

LEICESTER’s Grand 

Hotel is set for a 

major facelift that 

will help restore 

its historic streetlevel 

shopfronts and 

entrances to their 

former glory. 

The Grade II listed building 

in Granby Street, in the 

city centre, is set to be 

repaired and restored as 

part of Historic England’s 

High Street Heritage Action 

Zones. 

As part of a major programme of improvements now underway, 

the shopfronts that line the Granby Street façade of the hotel will be 

reinstated as close to the building’s original design as possible, using 

sustainable hardwood and toughened glass. 

Recessed doorways will be fitted with bespoke iron gates, and new 

signage will be introduced, in keeping with the building. 

There will also be improvements made to the hotel’s entrance, with 

cleaning and repairs made to the oriel windows and balcony. Work to 

restore the existing canopy above the entrance is also planned. 

Work is expected to take around five months to complete and will be 

supported as part of the city council’s successful bid for £1.5million 

towards a High Street Heritage Action Zone for the Granby Street and 

Church Gate conservation areas. 

Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on climate, culture 

and the economy, said: “The restoration of the Grand Hotel’s historic 

street-level frontages is good news for Granby Street and the city centre. 

“The Grand Hotel is a fine example of Leicester’s Victorian past and the 

city’s rich architectural heritage. It is a local landmark and has long been 

considered one of Leicester’s most prestigious hotels. With the support 

of Historic England, this investment will help to restore the building to its 

former glory, create a much more attractive street scene, and make the 

area feel safer and more welcoming to all. 

“It will also build on recent work to improve routes along Granby Street 

and Belvoir Street, and will help further improve the look and feel of this 

important gateway into the city centre. 

“It’s important that we continue to invest in our historic city centre 

shopping streets to support local businesses, boost the city’s economy 

and create a place where many more people want to live, work and visit.” 

A grant of £700,000 has been awarded towards the cost of the 

restoration work, which is estimated to cost about £900,000. The hotel 

owners will contribute £200,000 towards the project. 

Work to restore the Grand Hotel will be led by Leicester-based 

Hickman & Smith Architects and carried out by specialist contractors 

Trinity. Gateley RJA are appointed as Quantity Surveyors. Earlier 

survey and design work was carried out by conservation experts 

Conception Architects. 

David Hickman, director and architect at Hickman & Smith, said: “We’re 

excited to be working with a great team on this project and to help deliver 

the restoration of traditional features to the Grand Hotel shopfronts. As 

a local practice, the opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the 

Granby Street Conservation Area is a very exciting prospect. 

“This project offers a fantastic opportunity to make a long lasting and 

positive visual impact that will improve the character of the conservation 

area on this principal route into the city centre from Leicester Station, 

whilst raising awareness of the benefits of conservation.” 

Phase one at 

Beauchamp Business 

Park 80% sold 

OVER 80% OF UNITS in phase one of Beauchamp 

Business Park, a new commercial development in 

Kibworth, Leicestershire, have now been sold or are 

under offer, just two months after being made available 

for enquiries. 

Beauchamp Business Park is being brought forward by Clowes 

Developments and its team including IMA Architects, TanRo, Millward 

Consulting Engineers, Gateley’s Legal and Postins Project Services. 

Philips Sutton and TDBRE have been instructed as agents on the 

scheme. 

The level of take up at Beauchamp Business Park demonstrates the 

strength of demand from local companies wanting to grow their business 

within Leicestershire and companies from outside of the region choosing 

to make Leicestershire their new home. 

By working in partnership with Investment Manager, Oliver Whittaker 

at Invest in Leicester, Clowes Developments has formed a strategic 

partnership that is committed to enhancing the local economy by 

attracting new companies, creating employment opportunities and 

promoting future growth. This collaboration will benefit the local economy 

and boost job creation in the local area. 

In October, Units A and B were purchased by a Leicester based family of 

investors, and now terms have been agreed on the majority of remaining 

units. 

Construction is underway at the site with Phase One completion 

expected in April 2024. Phase Two is currently being marketed on a 

leasehold and freehold basis. When complete, the site will feature a 

series of freehold and leasehold industrial units ranging from 1,270 sq ft 

to 10,085 sq ft. 

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Citra Living acquires 

63 homes at Leicester 

Waterside 

CITRA LIVING, the rental housing owner and operator that 

is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has acquired 63 homes 

from national housebuilder Keepmoat at its Waterside 

scheme in Leicester, marking the next step in their 

partnership. 

A new neighbourhood at the gateway to Leicester city centre, Waterside 

forms part of the wider regeneration of the city’s waterways that is unlocking 

underused brownfield land along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal. 

It will see formerly neglected industrial buildings transformed into a new 

neighbourhood of 300-homes. It also benefits from its proximity to a range 

of schools, supermarkets, and green spaces such as Abbey Park and Castle 

Park, as well as over 50 restaurants within a 15-minute walk. 

The properties Citra has acquired include eight apartments and 55 houses, 

from one to four-bedrooms, designed to suit a range of residents from 

growing families to commuters and empty-nesters who want to be close to 

the city centre. 

Seven properties have already been handed over to Citra, with a further 56 

due to be completed by August 2024. JLL will provide property management 

services for these new homes. 

Sustainability is at the heart of the development, with smart technology 

used throughout to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. In 

line with this, 95% of the homes that Citra has acquired will have an EPC 

environmental rating of ‘B’. 

The wider Waterside regeneration project also includes plans for flood 

protection measures, enhancements to biodiversity and improved access to 

the canal and river. 

The partnership between Citra and Keepmoat was announced earlier this 

year, with the aim of increasing the supply of high-quality rental housing 

across the UK by building Citra’s portfolio of purpose-built rental properties. 

This latest acquisition follows the partnership’s exchange of almost 50 

homes at Gedling, Nottingham in August. 

DAVID WILSON HOMES 

INVESTS SIGNIFICANTLY 

IN THE EAST MIDLANDS 

LEADING HOUSEBUILDER David Wilson Homes East 

Midlands, based in Coalville, has successfully completed 

the construction of 678 new homes in the region in the 

last financial year, contributing £130 million to the overall 

economic output of the UK. 

These accomplishments are detailed in a recent report that assesses 

the social and economic impact of the property developer in the 

Midlands during the previous fiscal year (1st July 2022 to 30th June 

2023). 

Throughout this period, the company erected homes across various 

developments in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, 

Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. 

The report outlines the company’s socio-economic influence, 

providing key statistics related to its support for the property 

construction supply chain, local communities, the environment, public 

services, and employment. The findings indicate that the property 

developer: 

• Directly and indirectly supported 1,818 jobs through its contractors 

and suppliers. 

• Collaborated with 366 subcontractor companies and 310 supplier 

companies. 

• Established 13 hectares of green space in the area for both 

residents and the general public to enjoy. 

• Locally contributed £200,000 through its Community Infrastructure 

Levy and Section 106 contributions. 

• Invested £24.1 million in physical improvements benefiting local 

communities, including enhancements to highways, environmental 

upgrades, and community facilities. 

• Donated £50,700 to charitable organisations through company 

donations, employee fundraising and supplier sponsorship. 

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Government’s imminent surrender to NIMBYs will see 

approvals plunge further in months ahead: REPORT 

Planning permission approvals for new 

home sites fall to another record low 

THE LATEST HOUSING PIPELINE report from the Home Builders Federation (HBF), 

containing data supplied by www.glenigan.com, shows that the number of planning 

permissions being granted for new homes continued to decline in the third quarter of the 

year – falling to another record low. 

Planning permissions are a 

lead indicator of future supply 

levels, and the latest report 

confirms industry warnings that 

an increasingly anti-development 

policy environment and worsening 

economy will see the number of 

homes built in the coming years 

fall to record low levels. The report 

shows: 

• The number of sites granted 

planning permission in the past 

12-months in England was the 

lowest quarterly figure recorded 

since the Housing Pipeline Report 

began in 2006 

• 2,447 projects were granted 

planning permission, down 3% on 

the previous quarter and 19% lower 

than the same period last year 

• At 50,316, the number of housing 

units granted permission in England 

during Q3 of 2023 was down 12% 

on the previous quarter and 28% 

lower than Q3 in 2022 

• In the year to September 2023, 

the number of units gaining 

permission was 245,872 – a 15% 

drop on the previous year and the 

lowest for a 12-month period since 

Q3 2015. 

The figures come ahead of the 

sweeping changes to the National 

Planning Policy Framework 

(NPPF) expected to be announced 

tomorrow that will inevitably lead 

to a further decline in planning 

permission approvals in the months 

and years ahead and might see 

housebuilding in some areas 

completely collapse. 

The Government’s proposals – a 

direct result of ministers caving 

to anti-growth Conservative 

backbenchers in December 2022 

– are expected to water down 

requirements placed on Local 

Authorities to plan for enough 

homes to meet local housing need. 

The changes will, in effect, allow 

councils to build as few homes 

as they wish by removing the 

requirement for local housing needs 

assessments. These assessments, 

calculated using a ‘Standard 

Method’, will instead be made 

advisory as a result of the revolt of 

MPs led by Theresa Villiers. 

Research conducted by 

consultancy Lichfields earlier this 

year predicted that these proposed 

changes to the NPPF could cause 

a drop of 77,000 homes a year. 

Already Government’s promise 

to water down requirements on 

local authorities has more than 60 

councils confirm that they would 

cease production of local plans, 

with many others biding their 

time and not progressing plans. 

Elsewhere, other councils are 

seeking to significantly reduce the 

scale of their housing allocations. 

Confirmation of the changes to the 

revised NPPF this week will give 

further license to anti-development 

local authorities to delay the 

adoption of local plans and reduce 

levels of new housing supply. 

for new builds was down 4% on the 

previous year; 

Additions to the Council Taxbase 

in the year to September, showing 

the creation of new addresses saw 

a 1% fall on the previous year 

If the 15% drop in approved units 

this year outlined in the Housing 

Pipeline report translates into 

completions as we move into 2024 

housing supply could drop to fewer 

than 200,000 per year, the lowest 

since 2014. 

Stewart Baseley, executive 

chairman at the Home Builders 

Alongside the Government’s 

Federation said: “This is the 

planning proposals, the ongoing 

inevitable outcome of several years 

failure of politicians to find a 

of anti-growth policy and rhetoric. 

solution to the disproportionate ban 

Businesses have warned for some 

on new housing by Government 

time that the impact of Government 

quango Natural England’s that is 

action would be severe but now 

holding up 150,000 homes across 

there is now a mounting body of 

swathes of the country is also 

evidence. If ministers continue 

continuing to impact development. 

with the proposals to rid the 

This is despite the clear evidence 

planning system of targets and 

that new homes are a minimal 

consequences, no matter how it 

contributor to the nutrient levels 

is packaged, it will result in fewer 

ROUTE 

in rivers. with research published 

new homes and represents another 

CONSTRUCTION 

by Brookbanks 

5 

showing that the 

victory for NIMBY backbenchers. 

occupants of new homes account “Removing the requirement for 

for just 0.29% of total CONSULTANTS 

nitrogen local housing needs assessments 

emissions each year. 

and allowing councils to plan 

All recognised housing supply 

for as few homes as they wish 

Route 5 a nationwide building and development 

indicators are now showing falls, 

will see housebuilding in some 

consultancy based in Leicestershire. 

including : 

areas collapse with investment 

We offer the following construction in jobs consultancy and communities services: all 

Net Supply of Housing figures suffering. Putting politics and Party 

for the Quantity year ending Surveying March 2023 Estimating management above Energy/SAP 

the interests of 

showed a slight decrease in output 

Party Wall Surveying those Project households Management 

struggling amidst 

compared with the previous year; a worsening housing crisis may 

Tel: Completions 07912 120 of new 052 homes Email: enquiries@route5qs.co.uk 

seem attractive in the short-term 

in the year to October 2023, as but the long-term consequences 

measured by the issuance of for the economy and society are 

Energy Performance Certificates horrendous.” 

ROUTE 

5 

Route 5 is a nationwide building and development 

consultancy based in Leicestershire. 

We offer the following construction consultancy services: 

Tel: 07912 120 052 

CONSTRUCTION 

CONSULTANTS 

Quantity Surveying Estimating Energy/SAP 

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Email: enquiries@route5qs.co.uk 

Whitwick site for 

five dwellings 

SMITHS Property 

Experts are offering 

for sale a 0.75 acre 

development site with 

planning permission (ref: 

22/01366/OUT) granted 

for five dwellings. 

The proposed development – 

at Leicester Road, Whitwick, 

Leicestershire – will comprise of 

a mix of single storey bungalows 

and two or three-storey houses. 

The selling agents believe that 

there is potential to expand on 

the granted permissions with 

a further detailed application, 

subject to the necessary planning 

consents and approvals. 

Guide Price: £595,000. 

Call Smiths on 01509 

278842 or email: sales@ 

smithspropertyexperts.com 

Investment 

opportunity in 

Earl Shilton 

WARDS Commercial are 

offering for sale a retail or 

residential opportunity at 

26-28 Wood Street, Earl 

Shilton, Leicestershire LE9 

7ND. 

The subject property comprises 

a mixed use retail/residential 

investment 

Leicestershire-Based 

opportunity, with two 

ground floor retail units and a 

Quantity Surveying Estim 

one and two bedroom flat to the 

first Party floor. To Wall the rear Surveying 

of the site Pr 

there is a vacant outbuilding 

which has previously had planning 

permission for a residential 

ROUTE 

conversion and provides a 

5 

development opportunity (STP). 

CALL 

ROUTE 

CONST 

CONSU 

The subject property is available 

Read 5-star custo 

at an asking price of £395,000, www.w 

subject to the occupational 

agreements currently in place, 

which we are advised are Tel: as 07 

follows: 

Email: enqu 

• 26 Wood St - Shilton Fish Bar - 

Effective FRI lease until 30/11/28 

at a passing rent of £8,000 pax 

• 28 Wood St - CBT Motorcycles 

Need - Holding over any following of the the follo 

expiry (on 26/10/23) of an 

effective Quantity FRI lease Surveying at a passing Estim 

rent of £6,000 pax 

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• 26a Wood St - Two Bed Flat - 

Let on an AST at £495 pcm 

CON 

CON 

• 28a Wood St - One Bed Flat - 

Let on an AST at £450 pcm 

OR 

5 

The total passing rent is 

therefore in the order of £25,340 ~ 

per 

EMAIL 

annum. 

LE 

For sale at an asking price 

of £395,000. For more details, 

call Tel: Wards 07912 Commercial 120 052 on Email: enq 

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Harborough is one of the best 

councils in the East Midlands for 

affordable homes delivery 

HARBOROUGH District Council is one of the leading 

authorities in the East Midlands region for providing 

additional affordable housing. 

The Government’s affordable housing supply statistics for 2021-22 by 

local authority area show that the council is delivering more than double the 

average for the East Midlands. 

There are 42 authorities across the region with overall delivery at 4,755 

additional affordable homes, which averages 113 per authority. The council 

ranked in fifth place with 231 affordable homes. 

The top two authorities were both unitary authorities, demonstrating the 

current high performance across Harborough district compared to other 

district and borough councils. 

The Harborough Local Plan sets out a target of 179 affordable homes per 

year, which means that the council has exceeded this number in recent 

years. 

Whilst figures are not yet available for 2022-23, the council delivered 191 

affordable homes during this period, resulting in an average delivery of 201 

new affordable homes per year, over the last five years. 

Affordable homes help a range of people access social rent and affordable 

rent properties; and shared ownership/intermediate housing are also being 

made available to help residents get their foot onto the property ladder. 

Most affordable homes are delivered by developers who agree to provide 

a percentage of affordable housing on certain housing development sites. 

This agreement is reached via a Section 106 agreement which sets out, 

amongst other requirements, the affordable housing required. 

Recent examples of Harborough District Council delivering affordable 

homes include Airfield Farm near Market Harborough, Tymecrosse Gardens 

in Market Harborough and Coventry Road in Lutterworth. 

The council has ensured its affordable homes delivery remains high 

through evidence-based planning policies, joint working with developers 

and partners, and a strong corporate approach involving internal 

departments including Housing, Development Management, Strategic 

Planning, Legal, Finance, Democratic Services and the council’s Planning 

Committee. 

Cllr Jim Knight, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Housing, 

said: “The number of people living and working in the Harborough district 

continues to grow year on year, so it is vital we continue to supply muchneeded 

affordable homes to keep up with the demand. These figures show 

we are committed to helping residents and families secure housing that 

meets their needs and enables them to stay in the Harborough district.” 

A RARE AND EXCITING SELF BUILD OPPORTUNITY FOR A LUXURY FAMILY RESIDENCE IN EXCESS OF 2500 SQF 

SITUATED IN A MOST SOUGHT AFTER RESIDENTIAL LOCATION - ONLY PLOT REMAINING 

Burbage site for a luxury family residence 

CASTLE ESTATES are 

offering for sale a 

building plot at the rear 

of Sketchley Hill House, 

Rugby Road, Burbage 

LE10 2ND. 

Planning permission (ref: 

22/00236/FUL) has been granted 

for a luxury family residence 

in excess of 2,500 sq.feet with 

parking garage and gardens. 

LAND (PLOT 3) REAR OF RUGBY ROAD 

Offers in the region of £269,500 are invited. Contact BURBAGE Castle LE10 2ND Estates on 

Offers In The Region Of £269,500 

01455 617997 or email: info@castles-online.co.uk for more information. 

Ashby de la Zouch plot 

LAND (PLOT 3) REAR OF SKETCHLEY HILL HOUSE, RUGBY ROAD, BURBAGE, LEICESTERSHIRE. LE10 2ND 

• ONLY PLOT REMAINING 

• Well Proportioned Lounge 

• Living Kitchen & Utility 

• Changes possible subject to PP 

• Garden Room & Separate Study 

• Master Bedroom With Dressing Area & 

Ensuite 

• Guest Bedroom With Ensuite 

• Two Further Bedrooms 

• Family Bathroom 

• Parking, Garage & Gardens 

WHITEHEADS Estate Agents are offering for sale a 

building plot with planning permission (ref: 21/0194/ 

FUL) for a three-bed detached family home of character, 

designed by David Granger Architectural Design Ltd of 

Ashby. 

The plot, which is tucked away on Priorfields, just off Upper 

Parkington Road in the heart of Ashby de la Zouch town centre, has an 

area of 0.03 of a hectare (3,229 sq.feet). 

Asking price: £250,000. For more information, contact Whiteheads on 

01530 353170 or email: info@whiteheadsestates.co.uk 

Leicestershire County Cricket 

Club redevelopment plans 

on track with Pick Everard 

appointment 

BLUEPRINTS to reshape the future of Uptonsteel 

County Ground will be considered by a city-based 

consultancy firm ahead of a multi-million-pound 

project launch in 2024. 

Leicestershire County Cricket Club have announced a working 

partnership with Pick Everard, experts in architectural and commercial 

developments. The multi-disciplinary consultancy has 15 offices nationwide 

with its headquarters based in Leicester. 

The working arrangement follows nine months of detailed planning by the 

Club and its stakeholders and will see two preferred options for the first 

phase of a £60m redevelopment come under the spotlight. 

The first phase of the project will centre on the area surrounding the 

Melton Building Society Family Stand, located near the manual scoreboard. 

Details on the proposals are yet to be finalised, but providing health and 

wellbeing facilities for the community and city are high on the priority list. 

Talks are continuing between the Club and local universities in readiness 

for latter phases of the ambitious project that aims to bring an ‘Academy 

of Cricket’ to the ground. It is proposed that the academy would deliver the 

world’s first MBA in cricket management. 

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TO LET 

Offices with Secure Compound 

Just off M69 Junction 1 

Asfare Business Park, Wolvey 

Mixed development site in Stamford 

with consent for 7 apartments, plus 

office & retail 

• 2500 sq.ft. 6 offices 

with training room over 

2 floors with toilets and 

kitchen on each floor. 

• Gas Central heating with 

ample off road parking. 

• Secure compound 

approx. 0.5 acres, fully 

secure with fencing on 

all sides. 

• Good HGV access with 

electricity supply linked to 

offices. 

• 5 year lease available 

with 24/7 access on 

secure Business Park. 

• Will not split offices and 

compound as will be 

under one lease. 

Please contact for further 

details. 

Tel: GUY STRIPP 07850 805333 at ASFARE LIMITED 

Email : guy.stripp@gmail.com 

2620350 TP Clearance Warehouse advert May 2023.pdf 1 05/05/2023 15:50 

WOODFORD & CO are offering for sale a mixed 

development site with full planning permission (ref: 

S22/0738) for construction of seven apartments, plus 

office and retail premises set in a vibrant area of Stamford. 

The 0.13 of an acre site – on Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire 

PE9 1XF – is currently occupied by a former house/offices and a storage 

building. The existing buildings on site are to be demolished. 

For sale by Private Treaty, with a £550,000 Guide price. 

Contact Chris Woodford at Woodford & Co on 01832 274732 or email: 

chris@woodfordandco.com 

BY 

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AT CLEARANCE PRICES 

• Doors • Boilers • Powertools • Kitchen Appliances 

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• Electrical & Lighting • Roof Windows • Workwear • PPE 

• Bathrooms • Showers • Taps • Tiles • Sealant & Adhesives 

• Security & Hardware • Nails/ Screws & Fixings 

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Freemens Common, 

Leicester. LE2 7SR 

Tel: 0116 255 3539 

Opening times: 

Mon-Thurs: 7:30am - 5pm, Fri: 7:30am - 4.30pm 

Sat: 8am - 12 noon 

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2024 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK 13 

Potential residential 

development site in Donisthorpe 

INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a former primary 

school playing field at Ashby Road, Donisthorpe, 

Leicestershire DE12 7QF. 

The property comprises a greenfield site extending to 4.635 acres which 

was formerly used as playing fields for the primary school opposite, but 

which for the past 17 years has been used for grazing purposes. 

In view of its position abutting residential housing to either side, the site, 

in part, may be suitable for residential development subject to planning. 

Leicestershire County Council are seeking to dispose of the site on either 

an unconditional or conditional of planning basis. Bids will be requested by 

way of informal tender. 

For more information, contact Joe Reilly at Innes England on 07989 

434162 or email: jreilly@innes-england.com 

Site for 9 dwellings in Husbands Bosworth 

READINGS Property Group 

Ltd are offering for sale a 

2.24 acre parcel of land with 

Outline Planning Permission 

(ref: 18/00056/OUT) for nine 

dwellings, a new access and 

public open space. 

The land – at Theddingworth Road, 

Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire 

– has been granted consent for 3 town 

houses, 3 terraced bungalows and 3 

detached houses. 

Offers in the region of £1,100,000 are 

invited. 

Adj Honeypot Farm, Honeypot Lane 

Husbands Bosworth, Lutterworth, LE17 6LY 

For more information, contact Readings on 0116 222 7575 or email: 

Offers In The Region Of £1,100,000 

sales@readingspropertygroup.com 

l 

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l 

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null null null 

Marble Land and Development Services Ltd 

23-25 Borough Street, Castle Donington, DE74 2LA 

t: 01332 811333 

w: www.marbleproperty.co.uk 

e: land@marbleproperty.co.uk 

The New Build Sales Experts 

You Build The Best And We’ll Do The Rest 

Specialist New Build Marketing Strategies 

40 Years Industry Experience 

Land Appraisals, Contracts & Sales 

Market Research & Site Feasibility Reports 

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New partnership is 

bad news for van 

criminals 

A YORKSHIRE plumber 

featured on Dragon’s 

Den has teamed up 

with a major electrical 

wholesaler to help combat 

vehicle crime and protect 

livelihoods. 

Mike Horsfall’s groundbreaking 

VanGuardian alarm system caught 

the attention of bosses at YESSS 

Electrical - and a new partnership 

means it’s available through their 

branches nationwide. 

VanGuardian is a cost-effective 

pre-emptive alarm that protects 

vehicle exteriors from damage and 

theft. 

After being showcased on the 

BBC Dragon’s Den programme 

to great acclaim earlier this year, 

the patented product is now being 

stocked in YESSS Electrical’s 96 

UK outlets and online. 

Tired of thefts 

Heating engineer Mike Horsfall 

created the VanGuardian concept 

after spending more than 35 years 

as a tradesman in Leeds. 

Sick of losing tools, materials and 

other personal and work assets 

to thieves repeatedly targeting his 

van, and disillusioned at the lack of 

an affordable alternative security 

product, he came up with his own 

solution. 

The VanGuardian alarm fixes 

securely to the outside of a vehicle 

and deters theft by activating on 

contact, providing a 110dB audible 

alert to thwart the actions of 

anyone touching a door or panel, 

preventing criminal damage and 

protecting valuables. 

Designed and developed in the 

UK, it requires no drilling or wiring 

to install and as well as covering 

rear, side and cargo doors, it can 

be used as a highly effective pipe 

carrier and roof rack alarm. 

After proving popular with 

tradesmen, the range is now being 

widely used to protect motorhomes, 

caravans, horseboxes and camper 

vans, giving owners peace of mind 

while they sleep, or when the 

vehicle is parked up at home. 

At its core are highly responsive 

triaxial accelerometers that detect 

contact, and the system’s seven 

levels of sensitivity adjustment 

ensure precise detection, ignoring 

false alarms from environmental 

factors like wind. 

Operated by a single remote 

control, a range of dual and single 

alarm bundles and accessories 

are available - and with thousands 

of units already sold, not a single 

break-in has been reported by 

users. 

Mike said: “Standard factory-fitted 

alarms activating after the doors 

are open is too late - the damage is 

done! And the trend towards adding 

locks also does not deter van crime 

if thieves are afforded the time to 

operate. That’s why we created 

VanGuardian. 

“I looked at existing technology and 

thought about how it could work 

for us. Now VanGuardian draws 

instant attention to criminal activity, 

eliminating the time that thieves 

need to operate and forcing them 

to retreat before any damage is 

done. It’s also a really strong visual 

deterrent to potential thieves. 

“I’m really pleased and excited 

that VanGuardian is now available 

through YESSS Electrical and it will 

help many more vehicle owners 

protect their assets.” 

In February 2023 Michael 

appeared on the BBC’s Dragon’s 

Den programme to secure 

investment, but while his creation 

impressed the panel, he left emptyhanded. 

He is already working on a new 

version of the VanGuardian alarm 

with upgraded features, as well as 

new security products aimed at the 

sport and leisure market. 

Adam Padley, head of YESSS 

Electrical’s Security Division, said: 

“We’re delighted to be working with 

Mike and the team at VanGuardian. 

We know all too well working with 

tradespeople how van crime is 

on the rise, with vehicles being 

damaged and tools stolen in the 

process. 

“Most van alarm systems won’t 

alert you in time due to them only 

activating once your van has been 

breached, meaning your tools will 

have been stolen before you can 

alert authorities. 

“It makes us proud knowing we can 

help combat this with VanGuardian 

and protect our hard-working 

customers.” 

More information on 

VanGuardian can be found 

at https://www.yesss.co.uk/ 

topic/vanguardian-securityalarm 

Adjacent properties 

in Upper Broughton 

ALEXANDERS Estate 

Agents are offering for sale 

two detached properties 

adjacent to one another 

situated at Station Road, 

Upper Broughton. 

WHITEHOUSE FARM is a 

substantial detached Grade 

II Listed farmhouse requiring 

complete renovation, set in a 0.3 

acre plot. Guide Price: £650,000. 

THE OLD BARN is a single storey 

home offered to the market for 

the first time in nearly 27 years, 

having been converted from the 

former cow sheds that belonged 

to Whitehouse Farm. Guide Price: 

£650,000. 

For more information, contact 

Alexanders on 01664 896332 or 

email: melton@alexanders-estates. 

com 

Barwell site for 

three bungalows 

CASTLE Estates are offering 

for sale a building plot 

with Outline Planning 

Permission for three 4-bed 

bungalows at the nrear 

of 14 Chesterfield Way, 

Barwell, Leicestershire LE9 

8BH. 

The Guide Price is £475,000. 

Call Castle Estates on 01455 

617997 or email: info@castlesonline.co.uk 

for more information. 

Wigston plot 

HUNTERS Estate Agents are 

offering for sale a single 

building plot with Outline 

Planning Permission 

for single property with 

associated parking. 

The plot – at Station Road, 

Wigston, Leicester LE18 2DJ – 

is available at an asking price of 

£250,000. 

Contact Hunters on 0116 366 0660 

for more information, or email: 

wigston@hunters.com 

Single plot in Walton 

on the Wolds 

BENTONS Estate Agents 

are offering for sale a 

single building plot with 

planning permission (ref: 

P/22/1559/2) for a three/ 

four bedroom detached 

residence. 

The plot – at 1 Black Lane, Walton 

on the Wolds, Loughborough, 

Leics. Le12 8HN – is available at a 

Guide Price of £175,000. 

For more information, call Bentons 

on 01664 563892 or email: sales@ 

bentons.co.uk 

I haven’t even gone to bed yet and I already can’t wait to get home from work tomorrow.

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Decision on Gartree 

super prison planning 

permission won’t be 

challenged by council 

HARBOROUGH DISTRICT Council will not challenge the 

Secretary of State’s decision to allow planning permission 

for a new Cat B prison adjacent to the current Gartree 

Prison, councillors have decided. 

After considering an exempt report on the implications of starting legal 

proceedings, which included advice from King’s Counsel, councillors voted 

in a private session not to allocate funding for a statutory challenge at a Full 

Council meeting on 11 December 2023. 

Councillors were asked to consider the potential grounds on which the 

council may seek to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision letter in 

which the appeal was allowed, along with the prospects of such a challenge 

being successful. 

Although the decision to commence legal proceedings in this case is a 

decision for Cabinet, Full Council is required to decide whether to allocate 

funding from the council’s’ reserves to finance the legal proceedings, 

therefore amending the Budget and Policy Framework. 

A council spokesperson said: “Harborough District Council wanted to 

fully explore the option of a legal challenge and funded advice from King’s 

Counsel (KC) on the matter. Unfortunately, KC advised that no grounds for 

a challenge have been identified. 

“The council’s Chief Finance Officer also advised that allocation of funding 

for this legal challenge would not meet the fiduciary duties of the council. 

The council recognises that the decision not to allocate funding for a legal 

challenge was a difficult one and there is a lot of concern about the new 

prison in the community. It is disappointing that the council’s decision to 

refuse planning permission was overturned, but we also recognise that 

there is no reasonable chance of being successful in a legal challenge.” 

In April 2022, Harborough District Council refused a planning application 

on the grounds of unsustainable location; harm to the character and 

appearance of the landscape and harm to an area designated as an Area 

of Separation. 

An appeal was brought by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), and 

arrangements were made for the appeal to be heard at a public inquiry 

in October 2022, which was recovered for the Secretary of State’s 

determination in September 2022. A public inquiry was held in October 

2022 and the Inspector’s Report was published in January 2023. 

The Secretary of State’s Decision Letter in which planning permission was 

allowed was issued on 15 November 2023. 

Development Opportunity, Halstead, near 

Tilton On The Hill, Leicestershire 

JAMES SELLICKS 

Estate Agents are 

offering for sale a 

superb Grade II 

Listed, Georgian 

farmhouse with 

outbuildings situated 

on a wonderful, 

elevated position 

on the edge of the 

popular hamlet of 

Halstead near Tilton. 

Halstead House Farm 

occupies a total plot of 

approximately 25 acres, 

and has planning and listed 

building consent for the creation of six new barn conversion dwellings. 

(Planning consent ref: 19/02009/FUL and Listed Building Consent ref: 

19/02010/LBC) 

Guide Price: £2,500,000. 

For more information, contact James Sellicks on 01858 410008 or email: 

info@jamessellicks.com 

RICS UK Residential Survey 

Housing market outlook 

improves, driven by easing 

in mortgage rates 

• Near-term sales outlook improves supported by 

slightly lower mortgage rates 

• National house price declines appear to be slowing 

• Year ahead sales expectations most positive since 

January 2022 

• Rents predicted to rise by 4% over the next year as 

supply challenge continues 

THE NOVEMBER 2023 RICS 

UK Residential Survey results 

point to an improved outlook 

for the housing market, with 

the improvement in sentiment 

supported by a small easing 

in mortgage rates over recent 

weeks. However, sales in the 

near term are only marginally 

positive, and other indicators 

remain in negative territory. 

At the UK level, the net balance 

reading for new buyer enquiries 

came in at -14% in November. 

While this signals buyer demand is 

still falling, it is the least negative 

figure since April 2022. When 

viewed at a regional level, feedback 

is mixed regarding new buyer 

enquiries, with positive readings in 

both the Northwest, and Northern 

Ireland. London’s new buyer 

enquiries have turned less negative 

(-12 from -31), as have other 

areas such as Wales (-9 from -57), 

however Yorkshire and Humber 

and the North have seen further 

falls. 

For agreed sales, the latest 

national net balance of -11% 

compares with a reading of -23% 

in October and suggests the 

downward trend in sales volumes 

is easing. East Anglia, the North 

West, and Northern Ireland are all 

seeing positive figures. 

Looking ahead, near-term sales 

expectations over the next three 

months improved with the first 

positive reading since early 2022 

(+6). At the twelve-month time 

horizon sales expectations are 

much more positive with a net 

balance of +24% of respondents 

foreseeing an improvement in sales 

activity, marking the most upbeat 

return for this forward-looking 

measure since January 2022. 

House price sentiment has also 

turned less negative with a net 

balance of -43% in November. 

While this continues to signal a 

fall in house prices, this sentiment 

has improved over the last three 

months (becoming less negative). 

In the lettings market, although 

tenant demand continues to rise 

according to +20% of respondents, 

this marks the most modest reading 

since January 2022. However, 

the supply challenge remains with 

landlord instructions remaining 

in decline. Going forward, while 

twelve-month expectations have 

eased somewhat of late, rents are 

still projected to rise by close to 4% 

at the headline level over the next 

year. 

RICS Chief Economist, Simon 

Rubinsohn, said: “The latest RICS 

Residential Market Survey provides 

further evidence that sentiment is a 

little less negative than previously 

was the case with, critically, the 

new buyers enquiries indicator 

finally beginning to stabilise. 

This is being aided by increased 

confidence that the interest rate 

cycle has peaked which is reflected 

in somewhat more competitive 

mortgage products coming to the 

market. 

“However, with the cost of money 

likely to remain elevated for some 

time to come and the economic 

outlook still downbeat, it is not 

surprising that the overall tone to 

the anecdotal remarks from survey 

respondents is still quite cautious.” 

Book your stand at the 

Leicester Business Show 2024 

LEICESTER Business Show will take place on Thursday 9th 

May 2024 at the Holiday Inn in Wigston. 

Earlybird exhibitor bookings are now open, and sponsored by Visiativ UK 

and Nespresso Professional. 

Exhibition Spaces for this flagship event are available from just £195 

plus vat per stand space (3m x 2m) for a limited time and you can book by 

emailing Andrew M Charlton at hello@hashtag-events.co.uk or visit www. 

leicesterbusinessshow.co.uk 

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HOLKHAM | Heritage Green 

HOLKHAM 

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To request the new Gaddesby Kitchens brochure or to open 

an ECF trade account, please email: marketing@ecf.co 

t: 01664 424 288 | e: hello@ecf.co | w: www.ecf.co 

Auster House, Rearsby Business Park, Gaddesby Lane, Rearsby, Leicestershire LE7 4YH

Our business is helping 

you build yours


Future of the workplace revealed in 

major Midlands office survey 

HUNDREDS OF 

BUSINESS owners 

from across the 

Midlands have had their say 

on the future of the office, 

in a survey carried out by 

workplace consultants and 

office fit-out specialists 

Blueprint Interiors. 

The results were previewed at 

events hosted at venues recently 

refurbished by the company and 

showed that 41% of respondents 

work 1-3 days per week in the 

office, while 32% continue to 

work in the office for the entire 

week. A noteworthy shift from the 

conventional 5-day working norm 

was highlighted, with most people 

now working 3-4 days in the office. 

Companies are now adapting 

to post-pandemic work patterns, 

with 76% of businesses making 

changes for more flexible 

arrangements. 

Meeting the needs of employees 

who want to come into an office is 

essential, said the survey with 90% 

visiting the office to collaborate and 

50% for individual work. 

Some 82% of people who visit 

the office said how important good 

coffee in the office is, indicating the 

need for communal spaces. 

The survey also revealed people 

value the office for teamwork and 

collaboration but also to focus on 

individual work. 

Meanwhile, the main reasons 

for coming into the office include 

hosting client meetings (54%) and 

socialising (52%). 

The vast majority of respondents, 

some 93%, think having an office 

is important for shaping the work 

culture and achieving business 

goals, suggesting the physical 

workspace is still vital for creating 

the kind of culture you want. 

Data showed that 59% want 

space for hybrid work, 59% want 

collaborative spaces, 58% want 

flexible working policies and 46% 

prefer flexible furniture. 

About one-third of Midlands 

companies implemented all 

suggested changes to facilitate a 

return to the office. 

Additionally, 38% made some of 

the requested changes, and 11% 

have plans for adjustments. 

However, 16% of individuals 

in Midlands companies have 

shown resistance to returning 

to the office, while 46% are 

open to the idea, and 36% fall in 

between, expressing some level 

of resistance, as indicated by the 

survey data. 

Instead of urging employees 

to return to an outdated office 

tailored to pre-COVID workstyles, 

consider crafting a workspace that 

encourages diversity, autonomy, 

and flexibility and attributes 

that align with your workforce’s 

preferences are essential. 

Branding is also crucial, with 

90% believing the office design 

should reflect the company’s 

brand. However, only 56% feel 

their current office aligns with their 

brand. 

To create an appealing office, 

companies should involve their 

team in the planning process, 

address individual needs, and 

foster a sense of belonging. 

Chloe Sproston, creative director 

at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Based 

on our experience of working 

through a workplace consultancy 

process before defining the office 

design with many people-focused 

clients such as The Melton Building 

Society and WorldLine in Beeston, 

we felt that we already had a 

thorough enough understanding 

of employee needs. However, we 

also knew that these needs varied 

from company to company. 

“This survey set out to create 

a broader understanding and 

build knowledge based on wider 

feedback from the region’s Top 

200 employers that we could share 

with other business owners to 

help them ensure their workplace 

strategy is future-proofed. We 

firmly believe that the process 

we follow to create environments 

in which people thrive, enjoy 

coming to work and are happy and 

motivated delivers many long-term 

financial, wellbeing and cultural 

benefits that outweigh the value of 

the initial investment.” 

Rob Day, CEO of Blueprint 

Interiors, added: “There’s been 

a revolution in what people want 

from their offices in the last few 

years. The creature comforts of 

home have become almost too 

comfortable. So you need to give 

people a proper reason to embark 

on what is most likely a gruelling 

commute - especially when they 

know that this time could have 

been used more productively for 

working, more time with family, or 

an early morning wellness routine. 

“No one’s going to leave the 

house for a boring, lifeless office 

that isn’t fit for purpose and doesn’t 

look after their wellbeing. So the 

real question is: Is your office worth 

the commute? 

“Once you understand what 

people want and need from their 

office, you can make decisions 

that’ll deliver. In turn, you can 

design your space to improve the 

emotional well-being, comfort and 

social support that your workplace 

provides. Or in other words, meet 

your team’s emotional needs.” 

A full copy of the report and results 

can be downloading via this link: 

https://www.blueprintinteriors. 

com/new-research-on-futureworkplaces-whats-changing-andhow-to-keep-up/ 

Site for 16 dwellings 

in Ketton 

RICHARDSON Chartered 

Surveyors are offering for 

sale a site with Outline 

Planning Permission (ref: 

2021/0751/MAO) for up to 

16 houses. 

The 1.97 acre site – on 

Luffenham Road, Ketton – has a 

Guide Price of £800,000. 

For further details, contact 

Richardson Chartered Surveyors 

on 01780 762433 or visit www. 

richardsonsurveyors.co.uk 

Thurnby plot 

JAMES SELLICKS Estate 

Agents are selling a 

building plot with planning 

permission (ref: 23/01176/ 

FUL) for conversion and 

extension of the existing 

building to create a 

dwelling. 

The property – 25 Main Street, 

Thurnby, Leicester LE7 9PJ – 

currently comprises one large 

space with two windows to the 

front, a vaulted ceiling with 

exposed wood beams and joists, 

an open brick fireplace, brick 

floors throughout, a window to the 

rear and a large double barn door 

leading to a good sized garden. 

Price Guide: £135,000. 

Contact James Sellicks on 

0116 2854 554 or email: info@ 

jamessellicks.com 

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Market Harborough 

School Celebrates 

Award-Winning 

Sensory Garden 

Construction Estimator 

to the building trade 

www.fordestimatingservices.co.uk 

Call Martin on 

07860 695 806 

Or Email: 

martin@fordestimatingservices.co.uk 

Stephen G Foster 

Limited 

Construction Health & Safety 

Advisor and Quantity Surveyor 

Health & Safety Policies 

Site Safety Audits 

RAMS 

Safecontractor Applications 

Preparation of Health & Safety Plans 

Tel: 07923 959958 

Email: stephengfosterlimited 

@gmail.com. 

www.sfoster-consult.co.uk 

Pupils celebrating their East Midlands in Bloom triumph 

RIDGEWAY PRIMARY 

Academy in Market 

Harborough celebrated 

a crowning achievement 

in Royal Horticultural 

Society’s East Midlands 

in Bloom competition 

following a collaboration 

with David Wilson Homes. 

The Leicestershire school won the 

title of Best Ornamental Garden 

for its sensory garden, which was 

built over the course of 12 months 

with help from the Coalville-based 

developer. 

Recognition in East Midlands 

in Bloom is a well-deserved feat 

for the school which, through its 

sensory garden, has provided its 

pupils with a safe space for outdoor 

learning, commemoration and 

reflection. 

Dave Turner, Head of School at 

Ridgeway Primary Academy, said: 

“Since the garden was finished 

it has been in use daily – from 

wellbeing walks every morning for 

our Year 5 and 6 pupils, to drop-in 

sessions for our younger pupils 

where they get to explore the 

plants with their different textures 

and scents. It has also kept our 

gardening club very busy! 

“The children and staff absolutely 

love it. Winning the award was the 

icing on the cake and we can’t wait 

to see how our garden develops 

over the coming seasons. Thanks 

to all at David Wilson Homes for 

their continued support.” 

David Wilson Homes lent a 

helping hand to Ridgeway Primary 

Academy on numerous occasions, 

from an initial donation of top soil to 

the creation of pathways and raised 

beds. 

Joining the celebrations at the 

school was Steve Curtis, Senior 

Site Manager at the homebuilder’s 

nearby Burnmill Grange 

development, who assisted the 

school with its sensory garden 

project from start to finish. 

John Reddington, Managing 

Director at David Wilson Homes 

East Midlands, said: “We’d like to 

congratulate Ridgeway Primary 

Academy on its award, and it’s 

thoroughly deserved for the 

creation of a fantastic learning 

environment for the children. 

“It’s been a pleasure to assist with 

this project from start to finish, and 

we’ve enjoyed helping the school to 

bring its vision to life.” 

The East Midlands in Bloom 

success didn’t end with the title 

of Best Ornamental Garden, as 

the school also picked up a Silver 

Award and received a Judges 

Award for Community Involvement. 

David Wilson Homes’ Burnmill 

Grange development is located on 

Burnmill Road. 

For more information about any 

nearby developments, call the 

sales team on 033 3355 8483 or 

visit the website at David Wilson 

Homes in Leicestershire. 

Interesting properties for sale at 

the SDL January auction 

THE FOLLOWING properties are due to go under the 

hammer at the January 2024 SDL Property Auction: 

BUILDING PLOT adjacent to 11 

Woodside, Morley, Derbyshire 

DE7 6DG – with full detailed 

approval (ref: AVA/2022/0719) for a 

3-4 bedroomed house with en-suite. 

GUIDE PRICE: £150,000+ plus fees. 

BARNS FOR CONVERSION at 

Scarsdale House Farm, Loscoe 

Denby Lane, Loscoe, Heanor, 

Derbyshire DE75 7RX – comprising 

brick-built barns with full planning 

consent (ref: AVA/2023/0094) for 

conversion into two dwellings. 

Semi-rural location overlooking 

countryside. GUIDE PRICE: 

£180,000+ plus fees. 

FORMER CARE HOME at East 

Clune House, West Street, 

Clowne, Chesterfield S43 4NP – 

comprising a two storey freehold 

former home for older people/ 

community care centre (now closed). 

Total site of 0.94 acres approx. Floor 

area 1,533 sq.metres. The property 

has conversion/redevelopment 

potential for a variety of uses, 

subject to planning. GUIDE PRICE: 

£275,000+ plus fees. 

The auction takes place on 

Wednesday 31st January 2024, starting at 10.00am. For more information, 

visit the website at www.sdlauctions.co.uk 

I wish I hadn’t bought that corrugated iron. If anything, it’s made my clothes more creased.


Buyer demand for new homes 

at lowest recorded levels, warns 

FMB 

BUYER DEMAND for homes 

in England has hit its lowest 

recorded levels since 2015 

according to the latest House 

Builders’ Survey from the 

Federation of Master Builders 

(FMB). 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “This year’s FMB House 

Builders’ Survey shows that the housing market for smaller house builders, 

is in an increasingly difficult place, with perceived buyer demand hitting the 

lowest levels since our records began in 2015. There are signs this will pick 

back up again, but the already beleaguered SME housing sector, which 

delivers a fraction of the market share it once did, at around 10% compared 

to 40%, just over 30 years ago, looks like it will limp into next year.” 

Berry continued: “The planning system tops the list of major barriers 

stopping small builders from delivering new homes. While the impending 

rise in planning fees may help in the short term to prop up struggling 

planning teams, there are fundamental issues at play. For small 

builders the survey is clear that the system is too complex and costly. 

Communication from local planning authorities is also poor. Without 

changing this, planning issues are likely to loom large as a barrier for some 

time. Lack of available land is also frustrating small builders and without 

proper incentives for local authorities to promote small sites it seems 

unlikely there will be much change.” 

Berry concluded: “The economic landscape is also affecting small 

builders. Restricted access to mortgages has become the second biggest 

barrier. This issue has seen a rapid rise over the last two years, reflecting 

the devastating impact the wider economy can have on the small house 

builders. With many consumers choosing not to take out mortgages it 

would appear the market is only getting smaller, resulting in less homes 

being built.” 

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Ballerinas always dance on their tiptoes. Which makes me wonder: why not just hire taller girls?


S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction PMI® 

House building slump weighs 

on construction output 

Key Findings 

• November data 

signals another 

sharp fall in 

housing activity 

• Employment 

decreases for 

first time in ten 

months 

• Steepest decline in 

input costs since 

July 2009 

UK construction companies 

indicated a decline in business 

activity for the third consecutive 

month during November, led by 

another sharp fall in residential 

building. Elevated borrowing 

costs and subdued demand for 

new housing projects were widely 

cited as factors holding back 

construction activity. 

Latest survey data pointed to the 

steepest reduction in purchasing 

costs across the construction sector 

for more than 14 years. This was 

linked to lower raw material prices, 

alongside greater competition 

among suppliers in response to 

falling demand for construction 

inputs. 

The headline S&P Global / CIPS 

UK Construction Purchasing 

Managers’ Index (PMI®) – a 

seasonally adjusted index tracking 

changes in total industry activity 

– registered 45.5 in November, 

down fractionally from 45.6 in 

October and below the 50.0 nochange 

value for the third month 

running. The latest reading was 

the second-lowest since May 2020 

and signalled a marked reduction in 

total industry activity. 

November data illustrated that 

house building (index at 39.2) 

remained by far the weakestperforming 

segment, followed by 

civil engineering (43.5). Survey 

respondents cited cutbacks to 

residential development projects 

and a general slowdown in activity 

due to unfavourable market 

conditions. 

Commercial building showed 

some resilience (index at 48.1), 

but activity in this category has 

now decreased for three months 

in a row. Construction firms noted 

that lacklustre domestic economic 

conditions and delayed decisionmaking 

by clients on major 

investment spending had been 

factors limiting demand. 

November data suggested a 

continued lack of new work to 

replace completed projects. Total 

new orders decreased for the fourth 

month running, albeit at the slowest 

pace since August. Customer 

hesitancy and greater borrowing 

costs were often reported as 

weighing on sales volumes, 

especially in the housing category. 

Business activity expectations 

for the year ahead picked up from 

October’s recent low, but remained 

notably weaker than seen in the 

first half of 2023. Concerns about 

the nearterm demand outlook 

contributed to a renewed decline in 

staffing numbers during November 

and a marked reduction in 

purchasing activity. 

Input buying has now decreased 

in five of the past six months, 

largely reflecting reduced 

Comment 

TIM MOORE, Economics Director 

at S&P Global Market Intelligence, 

which compiles the survey said: 

“A slump in house building has 

cast a long shadow over the UK 

construction sector and there were 

signs of weakness spreading to 

civil engineering and commercial 

work during November. 

Residential construction activity 

has now decreased in each 

of the past 12 months and the 

latest reduction was still among 

the fastest seen since the global 

financial crisis in 2009. Elevated 

mortgage costs and unfavourable 

market conditions were widely 

cited as leading to cutbacks on 

house building projects. 

Rising interest rates and the 

uncertain UK economic outlook 

also hit commercial construction 

in November, while a lack of new 

work contributed to the fastest 

decline in civil engineering activity 

since July 2022. 

“Improving supply conditions were 

evident again in November, linked 

to rising raw material availability 

and spare capacity across the 

supply chain. Greater competition 

among suppliers added to 

workloads and a lack of new 

project starts. Some firms also 

commented on destocking efforts 

in response to improved supply 

conditions, which led to lower input 

buying in November. 

Average lead times among 

vendors shortened for the ninth 

successive month in November. 

That said, the rate of improvement 

has eased considerably since 

the summer. Survey respondents 

reported spare capacity among 

suppliers and weaker demand 

for construction inputs, although 

some commented on transportation 

delays. 

A combination of greater price 

competition among suppliers 

and falling raw material costs 

contributed to another decrease in 

input prices across the construction 

sector. The overall rate of decline 

was the steepest since July 2009, 

with survey respondents reporting 

falling prices paid for a range of 

materials (especially steel and 

timber). 

downward pressure on prices 

paid for construction products 

and materials. The latest survey 

indicated that overall input prices 

decreased for the second month 

running and at the fastest rate 

since July 2009.” 

DR JOHN GLEN, Chief Economist 

at the Chartered Institute of 

Procurement & Supply (CIPS), 

said: “There is no doubt that 2023 

has been a difficult year for the 

UK construction sector. Inflated 

borrowing costs and falling 

demand have conspired to further 

slow new building this month. 

“Despite this, the sector has 

finally emerged from a period of 

intense supply chain pressure and 

prices are now falling across the 

board, especially for timber and 

steel. Projects are no longer being 

delayed due to unexpectedly high 

material costs with November 

seeing the sharpest reduction 

in purchasing prices since July 

2009. 

“There will be no quick fixes 

next year for the sector. Lower 

demand, elevated interest rates 

and the prospect of an election 

promise an uncertain start to 

2024. This is a challenging 

moment for suppliers in the 

sector, who may have tough price 

negotiations ahead.” 

Loughborough Road 

Thringstone, Coalville, LE67 8LS 

Charnwood 

Council acquire 

two new-build 

properties in 

Sileby 

TWO HOMES in Sileby 

have been acquired by 

Charnwood Borough 

Council and will be made 

available to households 

on the Council’s housing 

register. 

The new build properties are 

both two-bedroom bungalows and 

the Council has taken ownership 

of them through a Section 106 

agreement with the developer, 

Swithland Homes Ltd. 

These agreements are put in 

place with the local authority 

and the developer to ensure that 

funding is made available for local 

services such as affordable housing, 

transport links and schools. 

The bungalows will be available for 

members of the public who are on 

the council’s housing register to bid 

on through the Council’s website. 

Over the past 5 years, the Council 

has acquired around 66 additional 

properties for housing register 

applicants. The Council manages 

around 5,500 properties in the 

borough and offers a range of 

services for tenants. 

Development 

opportunity in 

Thringstone 

JOHN GERMAN Estate 

Agents are offering for 

sale a development site 

with planning permission 

(ref:22/00263/FUL) for the 

erection of two detached 

4-bed dwellings, alongside 

a traditional family home 

ready for extension and 

improvement, on a plot of 

0.5 of an acre. 

The property – at Loughborough 

Road, Thringstone, 

Leicestershire LE67 8LS – is 

available at an asking price of 

£575,000. 

For more information, call John 

German on 01530 412824 or email: 

ashbysales@johngerman.co.uk 

My wife keeps complaining about her nine-to-five job. I must admit, 4.51 is a strange time to start work.


Fancy owning a church? Here are two ... 

Church for sale in ROTHWELL 

BERRYS Estate Agents 

are offering for sale 

the United Reformed 

Church at Fox Street, 

Rothwell, Northants. 

NN14 6AN. 

The Grade II* Listed 

property dates from 1655, 

and extends to 5,858 sq.feet 

approximately, split over two United Reformed Church 

Fox Street | Rothwell | Northamptonshire | NN14 6AN 

berrys.uk.com 

floors. The Guide Price is £325,000. A detailed property information pack is 

available on request. 

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, call Neill Maycock at Berrys 

on 01536 213151 or email: neill.maycock@berrys.uk.com 

Church and hall for sale in CORBY 

BERRYS Estate Agents are offering for sale St Andrews Church 

& Hall at Occupation Road, Corby, Northants NN17 1EB. 

The property comprises a 

stone-built church of 4,356 

sq.feet plus a brick-built hall 

of 4,107 sq.feet. 

The buildings are 

surrounded by gardens with 

vehicular access off West 

Glebe Road, creating off road 

parking. 

Guide Price: £550,000. A 

Occupation Road | Corby | Northamptonshire | NN17 1EB 

detailed property information pack is available on request. 

berrys.uk.com 

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact the agency team at 

Berrys on 01536 532376 or email: kettering@berrys.uk.com 

I earn a seven-figure salary. Unfortunately, there’s a decimal point involved.


The latest Glenigan Index of construction starts 

reports a continued state of decline 

• Project starts fell 12% against the preceding three 

months to November, standing 25% lower than a year 

ago. 

• Residential construction starts fell 3% on the preceding 

three months and decreased 12% on 2022 figures. 

• Non-residential project-starts fell 24% against the 

preceding three months to stand 39% down on a year 

ago. 

• Civils work starting on-site declined 18% against the 

preceding three months, 31% down against the previous 

year. 

THE DECEMBER INDEX reveals yet another disappointing 

set of results in a particularly weak year, where the 

levels of new projects coming online have gradually, and 

consistently, declined. This time around, work starting on 

site fell 12% against the preceding three months, finishing 

25% lower than 2022 figures. 

As the wider 

economy remains 

depressed, private 

investor confidence 

remains low. It’s 

led to a persistent 

slump in activity, with 

many pausing or 

pushing back start 

dates until a greater 

degree of financial 

security returns. This 

is reflected across 

almost every vertical, 

with retail being the 

exception. 

Looking at the 

public sector, the 

Chancellor’s Autumn 

Statement which, 

whilst offering a few 

positive signs in the 

form of energy infrastructure investment, was not seen as going far enough 

to support the industry. 

With a General 

Election looming and 

Glenigan Index of Construction Starts to 

the End of November 2023 

a purdah period likely, many businesses will need to wait until the next 

Government is in place before firm policy and funding commitments are 

made. 

Commenting on the findings, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen, 

says, “Construction starts remain low after sharp falls earlier in the year. 

However, there are tentative signs that residential activity has begun to 

stabilise. Private housing starts were little changed on the previous three 

months. Reflecting the findings of our latest Forecast, this could be taken 

as the first signs of the recovery expected to kick in during the second half 

of 2024. 

“However, elsewhere high-interest rates and a weak economic outlook 

continue to deter private non-residential investment while governmentfunded 

health and education starts were down sharply on the previous 

three months.” 

Taking a closer look at the sector verticals and regional outlook… 

Sector Analysis – Residential 

Residential starts experienced a relatively modest dip (-3%) compared to 

the preceding three months, falling 12% compared to the previous year. 

Drilling deeper, private housing only faltered by 1% against the three 

months to the end of November, weakening by 14% compared to 2022 

levels. Social housing also performed poorly, down 5% on last year and 

10% in comparison to the preceding three months. 

Sector Analysis – Non-Residential 

Non-residential performance was generally lacklustre, maintaining the 

downward trajectory that has characterised the UK construction industry in 

2023. Overall, project-starts fell 24% against the preceding three months to 

stand 39% down on a year ago. 

Retail provided the sole bright spot amidst the overall gloom, growing 5% 

against the preceding three months. However, this boost was not enough to 

prevent the vertical from ending 14% down against the previous year. 

Healthcare project-starts crashed, seeing their value literally slashed in 

half against the preceding three months (-50%) and 2022 levels (-51%). 

Industrial project starts also experienced a particularly poor period, with 

the value of starts decreasing 23% during the three months to November, 

and remaining 49% lower than a year ago. Likewise, hotel and leisure 

starts dropped by almost half (-49%) and dived 15% against the previous 

three months. 

Offices followed a similar trend, with the value of project-starts falling 21% 

on the preceding three months and tumbling 44% compared to the previous 

year. 

Education starts decreased 19% against the preceding three months to 

stand 13% down on the previous year, whilst community and amenity fell 

42% against both periods. 

Civils work starting on site plummeted 31% against 2022 figures and 

by almost a fifth (-18%) measured against the preceding three months. 

Infrastructure starts decreased 10% compared to the previous three months 

and was down 20% on the same period last year. Utilities rounded off the 

vertical analysis in lamentable fashion, with starts declining 31% against 

the preceding three months to finish 45% lower than a year ago. 

Regional Outlook 

Unsurprisingly, regional performance was weak during the Index period, 

with Yorkshire & the Humber, the only one to experience an increase 

against the preceding three months (+18%), despite finishing a fifth down 

compared to 2022 levels. Wales in turn slipped back 13% on the previous 

three months but was up 5% on last year’s figures. 

Some parts of the UK, whilst experiencing decline, were less affected than 

others. London saw a 3% decrease against the preceding three months 

and remained 27% down against the previous year. The South East, in turn, 

only fell by 8% compared with the preceding three months and dropped 

16% against the previous year. Furthermore, the value of starts in the 

South West dipped 3% against the preceding three months and 1% against 

the previous year. 

The impact was more severe in other areas. Starts in the North East and 

Northern Ireland weakened, slipping by 30% and 29% respectively against 

the preceding three months and were 22% and 34% lower than a year 

ago. The East of England experienced even poorer performance, with the 

value of starts decreasing 19% against the preceding three months and 

remaining 23% down against the previous year. 

The North West also experienced a decrease against the preceding three 

months (-11%) and previous year (-30%). Scotland also suffered a fall in 

starts against both the preceding three months (-21%) and the previous 

year (-35%). The West Midlands and the East Midlands both experienced 

a weak period, tumbling 22% and 13% respectively on the previous quarter 

and remaining 34% and 47% down on 2022 levels. 

Development site for four 

homes in Braunston 

MOORES ESTATE AGENTS are inviting 

offers over £750,000 for the former 

Old Plough public house and car park 

in Braunston, Rutland LE15 8QY. 

Planning consent (ref: 2021/1421/FUL) was 

granted in December 2022 for conversion of 

the original dwelling into one 4-bedroom home 

and one 3-bedroom home, with two further 

 

detached 3-bed dwellings in the grounds. For more information, contact 

 

Moores on 01572 757979 or email: office@mooresestateagents.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were so poor, when I was ill I could only afford to have one measle at a time.

DO YOU HAVE A NEW HOME OR 

EXTENSION TO BUILD? 

Are you looking for a top quality construction 

company to work on your project? 

Contact 

today! 

RJH Construction Limited has been in business for over 30 years 

and during this time, we have built long working relationships with 

local developers. 

The photographs show examples of some of the prestigious projects 

from our extensive portfolio. 

If you have a project in mind and would like to meet our team for an informal 

chat or to discuss a quotation, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Call 01530 834040 or Email: construct@rjh-building.co.uk


Recent Planning Applications 

Leicester City 

FNF Investment Ltd (c/o Agent: 

Rich Chaney, Williams-Architects 

Ltd, Studio 8, The Garage Studios, 

41-45 St Mary’s Gate, Nottingham 

NG1 1PU) - Change of use of first 

and second floor from education 

and training (Class F1) to 

aparthotel (10 x 1 bed units) (Class 

C1) on the first floor and six flats (4 

x 1 bed, 2 x 2 bed) (Class C3) on 

the second floor; new windows and 

front door - at Twenty Twenty, 

66-68 Charles Street, Leicester 

LE1 1FB. 

Mr & Mrs Parmdeep and 

Palbir Vadesha (c/o Agent: Mr 

Mohammad Tanvir Malik, Malik 

Enterprises, 30 Carlton Drive, 

Wigston, Leicester LE18 1DF) - 

Outline application for construction 

of two houses (2 x 4 bed) (Class 

C3) including access, appearance, 

layout and scale with landscaping 

reserved - at 23 St Johns Road, 

Leicester LE2 2BL 

The Clay-Oven Bakery Ltd 

(c/o Agent: John Hackman, The 

Drawing Room (architects) Ltd, 130 

Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester 

LE18 2GE) -Proposed two storey 

extensions to side of existing 

bakery to provide additional 

production and storage space – at 

85 Cobden Street, Leicester 

LE1 2LB. 

The Hornbeam Partnership 

(c/o Agent: Mr Miles Drew, 

Avison Young, 3 Brindleyplace, 

Birmingham B1 2JB) - Demolition of 

existing building and construction 

of residential apartments 

comprising 14, 8, 6 and 4 storeys 

(Class C3) and the formation of 

car parking spaces, amenity space 

and hard and soft landscaping and 

associated works – at 100 Church 

Gate, Leicester LE1 4AL. 

Mrs S Suleman (c/o Agent: 

Masterplan Design Ltd, First Floor, 

The Vicarage, 1 Woodhill, Leicester 

LE5 3JB) – Demolition of annex 

and development of 2 new foyurbedroom 

dwellings – at 313A 

Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 

2HU. 

NW Leics 

Mr S Anderson (c/o Agent: 

Housemartin Designs, The 

Carthouse, Charnells Court, 

Upperfields Farm, Main Street, 

Swepstone, Leics. LE67 2SG) – 

Erection of 2 self-build dwellings – 

at land off Pisca Lane, Heather, 

Leics. LE67 2QF. 

Mr P Atkinson (c/o Agent: Ms 

Caroline Chave, Chave Planning, 

Enterprise Centre, Bridge Street, 

Derby DE1 3LD) – Erection of 

4 single storey dwellings and 

alterations to vehicular access – 

at 149 Loughborough Road, 

Whitwick, Coalville, Leics. LE67 

5AS. 

Mr Chris Burton (c/o Agent: 

Alison Dudley, Zenith Planning 

and Design, 38 Greenhills Road, 

Eastwood, Nottingham NG16 3DG) 

– Change of use of first and second 

floor offices to 4 one-bedroom 

flats including replacement upvc 

windows – at 44C-44D Borough 

Street, Castle Donington, 

Derby DE74 2LB. 

Leicestershire County Council 

Children & Family Services 

(c/o Agent: Leicestershire 

County Council Operational 

Property Services, County Hall, 

Championship Way, Glenfield, 

Leicester LE3 8RE) – Provision of 

a single storey three-classroom 

block including re-siting of existing 

timber play equipment and 

reading canopy – at Hugglescote 

County primary School, 

Ashburton Road, Hugglescote, 

Leicestershire LE67 2HA. 

KMG Partnership (c/o Agent: 

Mr S Raju, R3Design Development 

Ltd, The Glasshouse, 9 Hallam 

Close, Littlethorpe, Leics. LE19 

2LA) – Demolition of existing 

public house and erection of 11 

dwellings (Reserved Matters) – at 

Masons Arms, 1 Church Street, 

Donisthorpe, Swadlincote, 

Derby DE12 7PX. 

Hardingstone Property LLP (c/o 

Agent: David Granger Architectural 

Design Ltd, The Old Cottage 

Hospital, Leicester Road, Ashby 

de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1DB) – 

Erection of 9 single storey dwellings 

including associated access and 

parking arrangements – at 115 

Station Road, Hugglescote, 

Coalville, Leics. LE67 2GB. 

Mr Chetan Chauhan (c/o Agent: 

Elsigood Associates Ltd, 21 Main 

Street, Barton under Needwood, 

Burton on Trent DE13 8AA) – 

Conversion of public house to 5 

dwelling apartments and one threebedroom 

dwelling house – at The 

Boot Inn, 37 Gladstone Street, 

Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6NH. 

Mr J Hambleton (c/o Agent: 

Daniel Wright, Woore Watkins 

Ltd, Hartington Suite, Ednaston 

Park, Painters Lane, Ednaston DE6 

3FA) – Demolition of No. 17 West 

End and erection of 4 dwellings 

and associated works – at land 

behind 17 West End , Main 

Street, Long Whatton, Leics. 

LE12 5DW. 

Blaby District 

Morro Partnerships (c/o Agent: 

Miss Emily Hubball, Pegasus 

Planning Group, 4 The Courtyard, 

Church Stret, Lockington, Derby 

DE74 2SL) - Erection of 22 

dwellings with ancillary car parking, 

landscaping, drainage and amenity 

space, including demolition of 

existing nursery buildings - at 

Former Smarties Day Nursery, 

West Street, Enderby, Leicester 

LE19 4LS. 

Davidsons Developments 

Ltd (c/o Agent:Mr Chris Green, 

Andrew Granger & Co., Phoenix 

House, 52 High Street, Market 

Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) - 

Residential development of up to 

53 dwellings including associated 

vehicular access, affordable 

housing, landscaping and drainage 

infrastructure - at land east 

of Lutterworth Road, Blaby, 

Leicester LE8 4DP. 

Oadby & Wigston 

Mr Toby Morrison (c/o Agent: Ms 

Caroline Chave, Chave Planning, 

Enterprise Centre, Bridge Street, 

Derby DE1 3LD) – Conversion of 

existing building into 2 residential 

units and Class E Commercial 

Unit plus alterations to external 

elevations – at 91 London Road, 

Oadby, Leicester LE2 5DP. 

Charnwood 

Borough 

Mr Richard Smallman (c/o 

Agent: Marrons) – Erection of 5 

dellings following demolition of 

existing dwelling – at 238 Forest 

Road, Loughborough, Leics. 

LE11 3HX. 

Mr Timur Djemal (c/o Agent: 

WA Architecture) – Erection of 

2 new Purpose Built Student 

Accommodation buildings to 

provide 18 studios – at 45 Park 

Road, Loughborough, Leics. 

LE11 2ED. 

Mr Mandeep Singh (c/o Agent: 

Lion Planning) – Erection of 9 

dwellings and 2 commercial offices 

(Variation) – at land adjacent 

to Granite Way, Mountsorrel, 

Leics. LE12 7TZ. 

Mr Giles Nursey (c/o Agent: 

Stone Planning Services Limited) – 

Erection of 72-bedroom Residential 

Care Home with associated parking 

provision, cycle parking, bin store, 

landscaping, air source heat pump 

enclosure and associated works 

– at land off Leicester Road, 

Markfield, Leics. 

Mr Martin Betts (c/o Agent: Axon 

Architects) – Demolition of existing 

structure and erection of 8 units 

for light industrial, industrial and/ 

or storage and distribution use with 

associated car parking, landscaping 

and access – at Former John 

Ellis & Sons, Sileby Road, 

Barrow upon Soar, Leics. LE12 

6BA. 

Mrs E McHardy (c/o Agent: 

Housemartin Design) – Erection 

of 2 dwellinghouses, demolition of 

single storey outbuilding, altered 

access and associated works – at 

17 Station Road, Quorn, Leics. 

LE12 8BP. 

Cadeby Homes (c/o Agent: 

Pegasus Planning Group) – Erection 

of 25 dwellings with associated 

access, drainage, landscaping, 

infrastructure and public open 

space – at rear of 83-89 

Loughborough Road, Hathern, 

Leics. LE12 5HY. 

McDonalds Restaurant Ltd 

(c/o Agent: Lichfields) – Erection 

of a drive-thru restaurant with 

associated access, servicing, car 

parking, hard and soft landscaping 

and other associated works – at 

land at Fairway Road South, 

Shepshed, Leics. 

William Davis Homes (c/o Agent: 

Pegasus Group) – Outline planning 

application for the demolition of 

67 & 69 Parklands Drive and the 

erection of up to 65 dwellings with 

all matters reserved except for 

access – at land off Parklands 

Drive, Loughborough, Leics. 

Rutland County 

Burley Estate Farm Partnership 

(c/o Agent: Peter Traves, Savills, 

Wessex House, Priors Walk, 

East Borough, Wimborne BH21 

1PB) – EIA Scoping Opinion for 

the proposed development of a 

conservation-led wildlife, education 

and leisure destination known 

as Wild Rutland – at land to 

the east of Burley Park Way, 

Oakham, Rutland LE15 6FB. 

Secretary of State for Defence 

(c/o Agent: Phil Brock, Tetra Tech, 

3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign 

Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 

4ER) – New offices and stores, site 

armoury, perimeter fencing, kennel 

block (including isolation kennel 

What was the name of the Russian who invented a cure for the common cold? Benylin Forchestikov.


block), gym, vet clinic, explosive 

search area, dog training area, 

exercise lanes and an education 

centre – at Kendrew Barracks, 

School Road, Cottesmore, 

Rutland LE15 7BL. 

Crowson (c/o Agent: John 

Trotter, Wythe Holland Ltd, 10 

Emlyn’s Street, Stamford PE9 1QP) 

– Conversion and change of use 

of bank and offices to 2 shops and 

8 flats – at 8 & 10 High Street, 

Oakham, Rutland. 

Summer Clift (c/o Agent: Jon 

Sidey, Sidey Design Architecture, 

10 Market Square, Higham 

Ferrers, Northants. NN10 8BT) – 

Change of use from public house 

to residential including parking 

and amenity space – at The 

Noel Arms, 2 Bridge Street, 

Langham, Rutland LE15 7HU. 

Harborough 

District 

Mr Lal Sangra (c/o Agent: Paul 

Thurlby, Gordon White & Hood, 

Unit 4b, Fir Tree Lane, Groby, 

Leicester LE6 0FH) – Erection of 7 

dwellings with associated garages, 

hard and soft landscaping, 

boundary treatments and highway 

works (Revised Scheme) – at 

land to the west of Langdale, 

Lutterworth Road, Arnesby, 

Leics. 

Mr Derrick Hicks (c/o 

Agent: Daniel Rush, Corporate 

Architecture Ltd, Venari House, 1 

Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, 

Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 

7XY) – Erection of 4 dwellings 

and conversion and extension of 

existing barn to form one dwelling 

(Revised Scheme) – at land at 

The New Coach House, Main 

Street, Tugby, Leics. 

Royal Enfield (c/o Agent: Will 

Seymour, Marrons Planning, 1 

Colton Square, Leicester LE1 

1QH) – Construction of an 

electric vehicle battery storage 

building ancillary to the new 

research centre approved under 

Planning Permission 23/00638/ 

FUL - at Unit 2 Bruntingthorpe 

Industrial Estate, Mere Road, 

Upper Bruntingthorpe, Leics. 

LE17 5QZ. 

Mr Simon Vicary (c/o Agent: 

Dennis Pickering, ADM Surveyors 

Ltd, Suite 1, Rosehill, 165 

Lutterworth, Blaby, Leicester LE8 

4DX) - Erection of 2 dwellings 

with associated car parking and 

landscaping (Variation) – at 

35 Butt Lane, Husbands 

Bosworth, Leics. LE17 6LN. 

Parker Strategic Land (c/o 

Agent: Miss Pippa Brogden, 

Ridge & Partners LLP, 3rd Floor, 

Regent House, 65 Rodney Road, 

Cheltenham GL50 1HX) – Outline 

application for the erection of up 

to 100 dwellings, including means 

of access to the site, landscaping, 

drainage and other associated 

works – at land at Covert Lane, 

Scraptoft, Leicester. 

Mr & Mrs Dealey (c/o Agent: Mr 

Alex Browne, Langton Architecture, 

47 High Street, Kibworth, 

Leicester LE8 0HS) – Change of 

use from stables to residential 

accommodation to include 

proposed extension of two existing 

dwellings and associated works 

– at Tyclostarw, Main Street, 

Gumley, Leics. LE16 7RU. 

Mr & Mrs Mason (c/o Agent: Mrs 

Julie Thompson, Peter Thompson 

Architectural Services, 49 Leicester 

Road, Broughton Astley, Leics. LE9 

6QE) – Outline application for the 

erection of 2 dwellings (Revised 

Scheme) – at land at rear of 45 

& 47 Dunton Road, Broughton 

Astley, Leics. 

J A Clarke & Sons Ltd (c/o 

Agent: Matt Collerson, CC Town 

Planning, Thistledown Barn, 

Holcot Lane, Sywell, Northampton 

NN6 0BG) – Change of use and 

conversion of agricultural barns to 

3 dwellings – at land off Great 

Easton Road, Caldecott, Leics. 

OBJK Developments Ltd (c/o 

Agent: Staniforth Architects Ltd, 

The Warehouse, 1a Stamford 

Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – 

Demolition of 4 existing farm 

buildings and the erection of a 

residential development of 3 new 

build dwellings and associated hard 

and soft landscaping – at Walton 

Edge Farm, Kimcote Road, 

Walton, Leics. LE17 5RR. 

Mr Singh (c/o Agent: James 

Evans, Staniforth Architects Ltd, 

The Warehouse, 1a Stamford 

Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – 

Conversion of existing outbuildings 

to ancillary annexe accommodation, 

erection of a carport and erection 

of 2 new dwellings (Variation) – at 

2 Harborough Road, Kibworth 

Harcourt, Leics. LE8 0JH. 

Rushcliffe 

Mr B Nunn (c/o Agent: Ian 

McHugh, IMcH Planning & 

Development Consultancy, 20 

Attewell Close, Draycott, DE72 

3QP) Demolition of existing 

dwelling, garage and outbuildings 

and erection of 2 new dwellings 

and 2 detached garages plus 

alterations to vehicular access and 

associated landscaping works – at 

204 Melton Road, Stanton on 

the Wolds, Nottinghamshire 

NG12 5BP. 

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: 

George machin, GraceMachin 

Planning & Property, 2 Hollwstone, 

The Lace market, Nottingham NG1 

1JH) – Outline planning application 

for the erection of 2 detached 

dwellings – at land at former 

Stackyard, Church Gate, 

Clipston on the Wolds, Notts. 

Mr Paul Cairns (c/o Agent: 

Trevor Muir Ltd, 104 Lambley 

Lane, Burton Joyce, Nottingham 

NG14 5BL) Erection of 5 dwellings 

and 3 detached garages with new 

access, plus rear/side single storey 

extension to No. 141- at Trelaw, 

139 Shelford Road, Radcliffe 

on Trent, Notts. 

Mr Mark Mosley (c/o Agent: 

Matt Hubbard, The Planning Hub, 

Jubilee House, 79 Gertrude Road, 

West Bridgford, Notts. NG2 5DA) 

– Erection of a new office block 

to include three floors of office 

space, 2 floors of car parking and 

associated access, landscaping 

and surface level car parking – at 

Britannia House, Ruddington 

Fields Business Park, Mere 

Way, Ruddington, Notts. NG11 

6JS. 

Mr Chris Samples (c/o Agent: 

Jackson-Crane Architecture, 7 

The Courtyard, 2C High Street, 

Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 

6ER) Conversion of an existing 

flat to create 2 flats – at 15 

Church Street, Ruddington, 

Nottingham. 

Mr Mohammad (c/o Agent: 

Mark Stewart, 16 Hillcrest Drive, 

Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2GX) 

– Erect office and storage building 

– at Springfields, Radcliffe 

Road, Holme Pierrepont, 

Nottinghamshire NG12 2LF. 

Mr Cameron Ross (c/o Agent: PP 

Building Design Ltd, 1 Hartington 

Road, Nottingham NG5 2GU) – 

Change of use from restaurant to 2 

residential apartments and 2 office 

suites; construction of two storey 

extension and canopy with balcony 

– at The Hall, Nottingham 

Road, Keyworth, Notts. NG12 

5FD. 

Rugby Borough 

Welcome Break Group Ltd (c/o 

Agent: Ross Fraser, Montagu 

Evans, 70 St Mary Axe, London 

EC3A 8BE) – Construction of a 

motorway service area comprising 

vehicular and pedestrian access 

from the A5,petrol filling station 

for domestic vehicles, HGV filling 

station, main services building, 

drive thru unit, EV charging 

spaces, customer parking spaces 

and landscaping – at land east 

of Stretton Croft, Stretton 

Baskerville Roundabout, 

Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3JA. 

MSC Charity Trust (c/o Agent: 

Tim Farley, On behalf of Copesticks 

Ltd, ATA Design, Pure Offices, 

Plato Close, Leamington Spa, 

Warks. CV34 6WE) – Extension 

and alterations including subdivision 

to 4 apartments and enabling 

residential development adjacent 

comprising the erection of 2 new 

dwellings – at Princethorpe 

Retreat & Conference Centre, 

Alban House, Coventry Road, 

Princethorpe, Warks. CV23 9QF. 

North Northants. 

NB Property Holdings Ltd (c/o 

Agent: Steve Bratby, VJS Projects 

Ltd, 2nd Floor, 181 Queensway, 

Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 

2DZ) – Conversion and extension 

of ground floor store and first floor 

rear extension to create 2 dwellings 

plus internal alterations to first floor 

flats to create a single dwelling – at 

110A High Street, Rushden, 

North Northants. NN10 0NZ. 

Society of Merchant Venturers 

as Endowment Trustee for 

St Monica Trust (c/o Agent: 

Ms Lynette Swinburne, Savills 

(UK) Ltd, Stuart House, St Johns 

Street, Peterborough PE1 5DD) – 

Redevelopment of farmyard and 

infill development to create new 

dwellings – at Manor Farm, 

Lowick Road, Aldwincle, 

Northants. 

Yarion Properties Ltd (c/o 

Agent: Jon Sidey, Sidey Design 

Architecture, 10 Market Square, 

Higham Ferrers, Northants. NN10 

8BT) – Change of use of ground 

floor to residential creating 4 

residential flats including bins 

area and bike store – at Former 

Barclays Bank, College Street, 

Rushden, Northants. NN10 

0QG. 

Mr & Mrs Paul & Helen Hughes 

(c/o Agent: Mr Richard Wedge, 

Blueprint Architectural Design, 5 

Blotts Barn Business Centre, Brooks 

Road, Raunds, Northants. NN6 

6NS) – Change of use from nursery 

to 4 dwellings - at Jack & Jill 

Nursery, Moor Road, Rushden, 

Northants. NN10 9TP. 

Akbar Copart (c/o Agent: 

Rockingham Motor Speedway, 

Mitchell Road, Corby, Northants 

NN17 5AF) – Erection of offices, 

photo and wash bays, vehicle 

repairs and motorcycle storage at - 

Rockingham Motor Speedway, 

Mitchell Road, Corby, 

Northants. NN17 5AF. 

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: 

Richard Pender, Reeds Wharf, 33 

Mill Street, London SE1 2AX) – 

Change of use of land to residential 

and retention of communit 

allotments, plus outline application 

for up to 14 low energy dwellings – 

at Millers Field, Benefield Road, 

Oundle, Northants. PE8 4EU. 

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE 

I saw a sign that said: ‘Have you seen this man?’ So I phoned up and said: ‘No.’


Recent Planning 

Applications 

Eastfield Developments (c/o 

Agent: Jon Sidey, Sidey Design 

Architecture, 10 Market Square, 

Higham Ferrers, Northants. NN10 

8BT) – Residential development 

of 3 two-bedroom dwellings – at 

land at rear of 21 Station Road, 

Irthlingborough, Northants. 

NN9 5QD. 

Corby Borough 

Mr C Davis (c/o Agent: Mark 

Shrive, MWS Design, 48A 

Northampton Road, Market 

Harborough, Leics. LE16 9HE) – 

Construction of a new industrial/ 

warehouse building with ancillary 

offices, together with use of land 

for open vehicle storage – at 

Tri Park, Headway, Corby, 

Northants. 

Mr Jack Leese (c/o Agent: Mrs 

Nisreen Karsou, NKM Studio, 

Millenium House, 21 Eden Street, 

Kingston KT1 1BL) – Erection of 

36 apartments with associated car 

parking and landscaping – at The 

Pluto, Gainsborough Road, 

Corby, Northants. NN18 0RQ. 

Mr Zain Anhar (c/o Agent: Tim 

Rodgers, Design Studio Architects, 

Regent House, 7 Upper King 

Street, Leicester LE1 6XB) – 

Residential development to form 39 

apartments – at Exchange Court, 

Cottingham Road, Corby, 

Northants. NN17 1TY. 

South Derbyshire 

Altip Limited (c/o Agent: Mr Steve 

Roffey, SLR Architectural, 7 Pingle 

Farm Road, Newhall, Swadlincote, 

Derby DE11 0QZ) – Proposed new 

warehouse units (3 double and one 

single) on open lot used for HGV 

truck and trailer parking – at land 

to the north of John Street, 

Church Gresley, Swadlincote, 

Derby DE11 8EL. 

Hilton Industrial Estate 

Limited (c/o Agent: George 

Henshaw, 46 Bridge Street, Belper, 

Derbyshire DE56 1AX) – Erection 

of 2 commercial units – at Unit 8 

Hilton Industrial Estate, Sutton 

Lane, Hilton, Derby DE65 5FE. 

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Leicestershire Builder 

Magazine, please 

pass it on to a friend 

or colleague when 

you’ve finished with it. 

Thanks! 

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Local house builders offer best 

solution to overcome planning 

objections, says FMB 

Making better use of local house builders offers the best 

solution to tackling planning objections from communities 

not wanting new homes, says the Federation of Master 

Builders (FMB) in response to his speech on housing from 

the Secretary of State for DLUHC, Michael Gove MP. 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “Michael Gove MP has 

made clear he wants to see more beautiful homes that overcome the 

worries local communities may have on developments. What better way to 

address this than to use local house builders, that deliver high quality, small 

sites in the local style. If the nation’s small house builders can be grown to 

the levels of delivery, they once enjoyed a few decades ago, small highquality 

sites can become the norm across the UK. We can return to organic, 

sustainable housing growth, rather than relying on large scale, cookie cutter 

housing.” 

Berry continued: “It’s positive to see that local authorities will be held to 

account for not delivering on housing and that they will be made to allocate 

land to small builders. However, we’ll judge land allocation of small sites 

on the results, as previous efforts have failed. It’s also positive to see that 

local authorities are being pushed to deliver on local plans. A lack of a local 

plan is particularly difficult for smaller house builders, who have named 

land availability one of the biggest barriers to new delivering new homes. 

However, changes made to stop local authorities allocating greenfield 

land for development to meet housing needs will result in less housing, 

particularly in rural areas which are the heartlands of smaller house 

builders.” 

Berry concluded “Overall Gove’s announcement is a bit of a mixed bag. 

While there are some positive overtures, there isn’t not enough here to turn 

around the ailing housing market, particularly for smaller house builders. 

The planning system needs a significant overhaul that helps to boost 

smaller sites that deliver sustainable organic growth. But at the core of 

this, we need well-funded and staffed planning teams that can help SMEs 

through the planning system.” 

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I always keep emergency flares in my car. You never know when you’re going to be invited to a 70s disco.


Gateley RJA strengthens East 

Midlands residential team 

with senior appointments 

www.garagedoorsleicesterltd.com 

Autumn Sale 

ALL TYPES OF ELECTRIC AND MANUAL 

GARAGE DOORS SUPPLIED AND FITTED 

(L-R) Casey Harper, Hardeep Kooner and James Frost 

GATELEY RJA, the specialist quantity surveying, 

project management and clerk of works arm 

of professional services group, Gateley, has 

strengthened its residential team with two senior 

appointments in Leicester and Nottingham. 

James Frost has been appointed as a senior quantity surveyor at the 

Kibworth Harcourt office. He previously held roles with Summers-Inman 

and Gleeds, bringing 12 years of construction experience to the team. 

In his role at Gateley RJA, Frost will deliver key quantity surveying and 

employer’s agent services, as well as driving process efficiencies within 

the residential team, including a strong focus on cost planning and due 

diligence. 

Casey Harper joins the West Bridgford office as a senior project 

manager. Harper brings 12 years of construction, residential development 

and commercial property management experience to the team following 

appointments with Beyond Consult, Trent & Dove Housing and Nottingham 

City Homes. At Gateley RJA, Harper will support residential and affordable 

housing clients with the delivery and completion of design and build 

contracts, as well as developer agreements. 

Both appointments will bring a strong strategic focus to the consultancy’s 

residential services offering, as well as leading on the development and 

management of their respective teams. 

Hardeep Kooner, director of residential at Gateley RJA, said: “We 

pride ourselves on our strong client relationships and the delivery of 

outstanding services on projects. James and Casey both have a wealth 

of construction and property experience which will bolster our strategic 

management team and play a core part in strengthening our residential 

offering. Both appointments will make brilliant additions to our team, and I’m 

looking forward to seeing how their careers progress.” 

Gateley RJA is a chartered quantity surveying practice providing surveying 

and project management services nationally across a variety of property 

and construction projects. The business advises on a wide range of 

residential development, commercial property and construction matters. It 

also has a dedicated clerk of works team strategically positioned to deliver 

quality inspection services on construction sites across the country. 

As a child I owned a cat which had this rather odd fascination with 

Japanese electronics. Today, on the anniversary of her passing, I’d 

like to proposed a toast ... To Sheba. 

I once went to an Earth, Wind and Fire concert and was actually invited 

backstage, and met Earth and Fire. I passed Wind in the corridor. 

I got kicked out of the cinema last night for bringing my own food. I was 

gutted. It’s ages since I’ve had a barbecue. 

A man was mugged yesterday by two men who hit him over the head with a 

bag of potatoes. The police asked him if he’d recognise them again and he 

said, ‘Yes, they were King Edwards.’ 

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I was cleaning my flat today when suddenly I thought ... why don’t I just buy a new tyre?


Hinckley school 

expansion 

plan revealed 

to help meet 

growing pupil 

numbers 

AS REPORTED IN THE 

LEICESTER MERCURY, a 

Leicestershire school must 

expand to meet growing 

pupil numbers, a council 

report states. Hastings 

High School, in Burbage, 

near Hinckley, could be 

getting a new sports hall, 

classrooms, dining room 

and bigger car park after 

local education authority 

Leicestershire County 

Council submitted a plan 

to increase capacity at the 

site. 

A report attached to the school’s 

planning application says Hastings 

High School currently has space 

for 800 pupils, but has 845 on its 

register. With the new housing 

developments planned for the area, 

the council predicts the school will 

have a deficit of more than 100 

places by January 2026. 

A new sports hall is proposed to 

be built next to the school’s existing 

running track. It would have four 

badminton-sized courts, changing 

facilities, toilets and showers, 

space for storing equipment as 

well as a PE classroom and dance 

studio. 

Michael Gove: I 

will act against 

councils failing 

on housing 

AS REPORTED ON THE 

BBC NEWS WEBSITE, 

Councils in England which 

delay or block housing 

developments for no good 

reason will be named 

and shamed, the housing 

secretary has said. 

Michael Gove said that in extreme 

cases councils could be stripped of 

their planning powers. 

But he reassured local authorities 

they would not need to redraw the 

green belt to meet housing targets. 

Labour said the government had 

“sent housebuilding into crisis” and 

couldn’t be trusted to take the steps 

needed. 

And the National Housing 

Federation said the proposals “will 

result in fewer homes”. 

Allotment Society sheds fixed 

with housebuilder’s donation 

COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS in Donisthorpe have been 

given a new lease of life thanks to a donation of building 

materials by Bellway. 

Members of The Orchard Allotment Society have refurbished and repaired 

the sheds on their site with 100 bags of cement and 10 tonnes of sand 

supplied by the housebuilder. 

Bellway delivered the materials after being approached by society 

member Paula Tighe, who lives at the housebuilder’s completed Lockharts 

development in the village. 

Formed 25 years ago, the society has a total of 22 allotments and 

provides a support network for members who collaborate with their 

gardening tasks, share knowledge, and build friendships. 

Fay Moody, Secretary of The Orchard Allotment Society, said: “We 

were very happy to receive a donation from Bellway. The entire group has 

benefited because the cement and sand have helped to secure the sheds 

and keep the allotment tidy.” 

Andrew Pollard, Adoptions Engineer from Bellway East Midlands, was 

recently shown around the allotments and said: “It is fantastic to see how 

the donated building materials have been put to such meaningful use, 

enhancing a valuable community facility in Donisthorpe. 

“At Bellway East Midlands, we are committed to supporting local 

communities across the region so when Paula got in touch to ask if we 

could donate some materials, we were more than happy to help.” 

“I enjoyed meeting Fay and learning more about the society and the role 

it plays in the local gardening community. The allotments are an important 

part of the village as they are a social hub, offering the chance for people of 

all ages to get outside and enjoy gardening in a friendly environment. 

“It is great that our donation of sand and cement has enabled the 

society to repair their sheds and improve the gardening experience for its 

members.” 

Have your say on Rushcliffe’s 

scheme of validation for planning 

applications 

RUSHCLIFFE BOROUGH COUNCIL has reviewed its local 

scheme of validation for planning applications, which sets 

out what is required to accompany planning applications 

when they are submitted. 

All Councils are required to produce a Local List of requirements, to 

support the national requirements which are mandatory for all applications. 

The local requirements seek supporting information which the Council 

consider necessary to allow it to properly consider a proposal and reach a 

speedy decision. 

The list will inform service users like agents, developers and applicants 

what is required for each type of planning application from a simple house 

extension to a major development of several hundred houses or major 

industrial or retail unit. As part of the adoption process, the Council must 

carry out a period of consultation, which runs until January 17, 2024. 

Have your say by emailing planningandgrowth@rushcliffe.gov.uk 

Fall in 

construction 

and housing 

output 

undermining 

economic 

growth, says 

FMB 

THE CONTINUING fall 

in construction output, 

accelerated by the decline 

in house building according 

to November’s S&P Global/ 

CIPS UK Construction 

PMI data, demonstrates 

the sorry state of the 

economy, and the need 

for government measures 

to turbo charge economic 

growth, says the Federation 

of Master Builders (FMB). 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the 

FMB said: “Today’s S&P Global/ 

CIPS UK Construction PMI figures 

mark a full year of continued 

decline in house building rates 

in Britain. The civil engineering 

and commercial sectors are now 

beginning to show weakness, 

and with employment rates also 

decreasing for the first time in ten 

months, there are worrying signs 

for the future of the construction 

industry. If we do not see significant 

government intervention to 

substantially boost the UK’s house 

building rates and ensure that 

people have access to the highquality 

homes they require, this 

decline is likely to continue.” 

Berry went on to say: “The 

positive measures announced in 

last month’s Autumn Statement, 

such as the proposals to speed up 

planning decisions, and to provide 

tax cuts to small businesses, 

indicate an acknowledgment 

from the Government that action 

is needed. But these proposals 

alone do not go anywhere near far 

enough. A wide-reaching, industry 

specific plan will be necessary to 

support local house builders to 

ensure that they can deliver the 

scale of housing that Britain is 

currently in desperate need of.” 

Tesco have announced that they 

will be adding a new beer to their 

value range of real ales. Alongside 

the affordable Simply Golden Ale 

and the inexpensive Simply Dark, 

they’re adding Simply Red 

for when money’s too tight 

to mention. 

My late grandmother was such a 

fan of Thunderbirds puppets. When 

she got seriously ill, she insisted 

we kept a Virgil at her bedside. 

It’s nice having dogs that continuously warn me about the nothing outside.

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Thanks to the wonders of modern computing, we are able to look back in our digital files to see 

• Family-owned Builders Merchants EH SMITH picked up another Construction Marketing Award 

for their ‘Proper Builders’ campaign which delivered a 30% increase in customer visits to their 

eight branches across the UK and prompted the opening of a ninth in Olton in the West Midlands. 

• HOUSE PRICES in the UK were predicted to rise by eight percent over the course of next year 

while the cost of renting a home would rise by a further two percent. This growth is being driven 

by the acute imbalance between burgeoning buyer demand and sluggish supply with new 

instructions to estate agents close to stagnating. 

• Government initiatives to STREAMLINE THE PLANNING SYSTEM and speed up development 

of UK infrastructure and housing were welcomed in Jan 2014 by the British Property Federation. 

• Work was under way on the creation of an £11 million headquarters for Leicester City Council. 

Builders WILLMOTT DIXON were overhauling Attenborough House, in Charles Street, to create a 

base for 630 staff who will be moving out of the New Walk complex at Easter. 

• ONE OF Leicester’s well established window suppliers - LEICESTER WINDOW SUPPLIES - moved 

into smart new premises in Syston. 

• FIGURES released in December 2013 in HBF’s latest Housing Pipeline report showed a BIG 

INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PLANNING PERMISSIONS BEING GRANTED for new homes. 

The report – produced for HBF by Glenigan – showed that 44,251 permissions were granted in Q3 

• A FAMILY-owned construction services company had won a contract worth up to £60 million to 

improve Charnwood Borough Council’s housing stock. WATES LIVING SPACE was awarded the 

contract after a detailed selection process which involved staff and tenants. 

• PROPOSALS to restore a fire-damaged Victorian Leicester factory received a boost of almost £4 

million from the European Regional Development Fund. Leicester City Council were planning to 

redevelop the FRIARS MILL COMPLEX, on the banks of the River Soar, and bring it back into use 

as office space. 

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The January 2014 issue of Leicestershire Builder 

• LOCAL homebuilder DAVID WILSON 

HOMES East Midlands has appointed four 

new Trainee Site Managers to manage the 

growing demand for quality new homes 

across the region. THOMAS CZERPAK 

(28), MATTHEW GIMSON (32), NATHAN 

MANNION (32), and DANE MCMURTRY 

(29) were working at sites across the East 

Midlands including Glenfield Park in Glenfield, 

Kibworth Meadows in Kibworth, The Greens 

in Hinckley and Sandlands in Mansfield. 

01332 253606 

The neighbourhood 

• Residential 

watch 

and Commercial 

is having a meeting about the creepy guy and I’m the only one not invited.


Long Clawson development site 

RICHARD Watkinson & Partners are offering for sale a 

development site with planning permission granted (ref: 

21/01134/FUL) for three individual bungalows. 

The 0.928 of an acre site – at Overbrook Mill Lane, Long Clawson, 

Leicestershire LE14 4NU – is available at a Guide Price of £595,000. 

For more information, call Richard Watkinson & Partners on 01949 

836678 or email: bingham@richardwatkinson.co.uk 

Rise in repair and maintenance 

building work propping up 

construction activity, says FMB 

THE RISE in repair and maintenance 

building work of 2.2% in the three 

months to October 2023 is holding 

up an overall fall in construction 

activity, says the Federation of 

Master Builders (FMB) in response 

to the latest figures published by 

the Office of National Statistics (ONS). 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB commented; “After the seemingly 

positive figures released last month, which had seen construction output 

grow by 0.4% for September, it is disappointing to see that October’s 

growth has declined by 0.5%. Repair and maintenance building work 

has once again been positive, but unlike previous months the gains were 

not large enough to mask underlying issues, such as a decline in new 

housing.” 

Brian Berry continued: “Overall, the construction sector is struggling with 

the three months to October seeing a 0.3% decline, which is worrying, 

but small local builders committed to repair, and maintenance work are 

propping up the industry. The largest concern for smaller builders will be 

those engaged in house building, who are seeing a tough market. With 

a new Housing Minister in place, pragmatic solutions are needed to help 

kick start the creation of new homes, or better yet, a long-term plan for 

housing.” 

I moved a pawn and it hurt. I moved my knight and I was in agony. 

Moved my queen and I was doubled up. I think I’m having chess 

pains. 

My wife left me today because she thinks I’m more interested in football 

than her. We were married for six seasons. 

What does 2024 

have in store for 

real estate? 

By Tom Brown, Managing Director, 

Real Estate at Ingenious 

AS INTEREST RATE increases continue to bite and the 

costs and challenges of property development, especially 

in London, remain high, we expect to see a continuation of 

the market trends we have seen in 2023 going into the New 

Year. It’s reassuring to note that as we enter 2024, there is 

a noticeably more stable outlook for inflation compared to 

what we were faced with at the beginning of 2023. 

Buy-to-let market 

Whilst buy-to-let (BTL) investors are benefitting from double digit increases 

in rents across the UK, the costs to many private landlords from higher 

interest rates and the increased tax burden, means we expect many private 

investors will continue to exit the market which will further reduce the supply 

of rental stock. Looking forward, the landscape of the UK residential rental 

market continues to shift towards purpose-built accommodation owned 

and managed by financial institutions. Large pension funds and insurance 

companies are taking the lead here and will increasingly dominate the larger 

developments with significant financing opportunities arising in the midmarket 

development space. 

Support for first time buyers 

First time buyers are crucial to the health of the wider market, the economy 

and support our way of life here in the UK. This crucial cohort of potential 

buyers are currently faced with increasingly expensive mortgages requiring 

high deposits or the challenges and costs associated with renting. The 

government should look closely at how they can carefully intervene in this 

area to allow first time buyers access to the market in a way that does not 

unduly inflate property prices and provides good value for taxpayers. 

Residential prices holding firm 

The UK continues to face a shortage of housing infrastructure, which will 

continue to support property prices despite the higher costs of borrowing. 

Widespread predictions of a noticeable decline in residential prices linked 

to higher borrowing rates seem to have been overstated. Indeed, there are 

noticeable factors that are applying the break to price falls. With residential 

rents experiencing a year-on-year increase of approximately 12%, there is 

both the opportunity and liquidity within the Build to Rent, Private Rented 

(PRS), Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), and Co-Living 

spaces. We are firmly focused on serving the needs of developers operating 

in those sectors alongside those operating in the Build to Sell market. 

Impact of a potential change of government 

Housing remains a fundamental political issue here in the UK and ranks 

highly on the list of concerns for voters up and down the country. As 

such, it is imperative for every political party, regardless of its affiliation, 

to include comprehensive policies addressing the core issues of supply 

and affordability in their manifesto commitments. We don’t expect to see a 

significantly different approach should a change of national government take 

place during 2024. Many of the issues on the ground relate to local planning 

policies and decisions which continues to be a big challenge for developers 

to navigate. The position on the ground locally seems unlikely to be radically 

altered by a change in national politics. 

Market outlook 

The New Year will bring with it a new and exciting set of challenges and 

opportunities for growth and progression in what we do. We are looking 

forward to continuing to work with borrowers and investors and delivering 

for them. The dynamic landscape of the markets that we serve, and the 

wider economy requires us to evolve to stay relevant in addressing diverse 

challenges including the climate crisis, and changes in the way we are all 

living. 2024 will see Ingenious broaden the reach of our widely embraced 

development lending product. 

This expansion aims to offer extended terms for stabilisation to specialised 

developers within the rental sectors. Additionally, special lending terms will 

be introduced for developers with a specific focus on minimising embedded 

carbon in their construction practices. 

I wasn’t that hungry, so I just ate a kid’s meal at McDonald’s. His mother was furious.


Architect Claire Stephens Hits 

Milestone in Unique Journey 

ACCOMPLISHED 

architect Claire 

Stephens reached 

a milestone 

recently, 

crowning her 

unique journey 

in the field of 

architecture. 

Claire Stephens 

embarked on her 

architectural journey 

after leaving school at 

18, initially exploring 

various roles such as 

a teaching assistant, 

barmaid, and call 

centre operative. 

Feeling unfulfilled and 

seeking an outlet for 

her creative skills, 

she joined ADW 

Partnership in 2003 as 

an office junior. 

While at Architects 

LE1, Claire discovered 

Claire Stephens 

her passion for architecture. 

During a staff appraisal two years into her employment, she expressed her 

aspiration to pursue a career as an architect. The positive response from 

the partners set the stage for a transformative journey. 

Over the next seven years, Claire dedicated herself to part-time studies, 

earning a BA(Hons) in Architecture (RIBA Part I). This was followed by 

two years of full-time study to complete her Masters (RIBA Part II). Postrecession 

challenges added complexity to her journey, delaying her pursuit 

of the final professional qualification. 

In 2015, Claire found the right work environment at Corporate Architecture 

Ltd, providing the confidence and support needed to embark on the final 

stage of her qualification. Midway through her Part III Qualification through 

the RIBA, she transitioned to Design Studio Architects in Leicester. 

The encouragement and support from Design Studio Architects were 

pivotal during the final stages of submission, exam, and interview, ensuring 

Claire successfully attained full qualification and registration as an 

Architect. 

Reflecting on her unique journey, Claire expressed pride in persevering 

through challenges, stating, “Although the journey was far from 

‘traditional’ and particularly lengthy, every step was tailored to suit my life 

circumstances. Achieving this milestone is a source of immense pride for 

me.” 

Claire is poised for a promising career in architecture and is currently 

engaged in delivering various projects with DSA, showcasing her passion, 

dedication, and the resilience that defined her remarkable journey. 

¡¢£¤¥¦§¢ £§¦ 

E ¨¡© 

for the 

Worksurfacing Industry 

Seabrook Digital Solutions Ltd 

Tel: 01455 889726 

Mobile: 0772 309 2474 

For more information, visit 

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Leicestershire Builder Magazine 

Published By: Builder Magazines PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT 

Tel: (01530) 244069 

Email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk Web: www.buildermagazines.co.uk 

Over 3,500 copies distributed every month across Leicestershire & Rutland by a 

combination of: 

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Published on 1st of each month. Booking Deadline: 15th of each month 

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily 

those of the Editorial/Production Team. 

The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication 

does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, 

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Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information 

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Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or 

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For details of our Advertising Rates: 

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I have a telescope on the peephole of my door so I can see who’s at the door for 200 miles.

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JANUARY 2024 LEICESTERSHIRE BUILDER online

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