New University of Leicester conference centre to create 80 jobs
Student flats plan for Southgates bus station scaled back
Developers who want to build hundreds of student flats at a former bus depot have scaled back their plans.
Developer Applegate originally wanted to build 435 flats, housing nearly 700 students in buildings of up to nine-storeys, on the site of the old Southgates bus station, off Peacock Lane, Leicester.
The company told the Mercury about the idea in October after it shelved plans to create a five-star hotel and conference centre due to the economic downturn.
But the company has further altered the plans, and submitted an application to the city council for 289 flats, housing 500 students. They would be spread across four, five and six-storey blocks.
Council officers have recommended the application be approved at a planning meeting on Wednesday.
Lee Staniforth, of Leicester-based Staniforth Architects, said: "Having taken on board comments from various local groups - including the Conservation Advisory Panel, OPUN design panel, the Civic Society, public comments and indeed the planners, it was decided that we should propose a more sensitive scheme.
"The heights have been dropped to sit better in the surroundings of the old city and the blocks have been broken up to reflect the local street patterns, while allowing views through the building into and out of the city.
"This site is a perfect location for students – being next to the university and bringing extra life into that part of town in the evenings when the offices have shut.
"It will also promote movement of people past the site and into Jubilee and Cathedral Square. What has been a dead part of town in the evenings will become more active."
The development will consist of a four and five-storey block at the corner of Peacock Lane and Southgates, a six-storey block at the corner of Southgates and Friar Lane and two C-shaped buildings in the centre of the site.
The design still incorporates the last remaining part of the old depot – the entrance arch - which will be in-filled with glass and provide the front of a shop in the complex.
In a planning report, a council officer said the amended application would "deliver a significant enhancement to the character and appearance" of the area.
Two people have objected to the revised plans.
In a letter, Andrew Parkes, of nearby Friar Lane, said he felt there should be more family homes included in the plans.
Solicitors Philip J Hammond and Sons, also of Friar Lane, said they thought the site was "more suited to high quality residential town houses".
But Leicester Civic Society chairman Stuart Bailey praised the proposed development as "forward looking".
Mr Staniforth said: "The scheme is designed to be fully sustainable. If there is a drop in demand for student housing, the building can easily be converted into flats."
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Elephant homes sought as Leicester MP plans Mango festival
Keith Vaz faces an elephant-sized headache as he tries to organise the country's first ever Mango festival – in two weeks' time.
The Leicester East MP wants Belgrave's Golden Mile to stage an extravaganza in tribute to the national fruit of India over the early May bank holiday weekend, mimicking the famous International Mango Festival held in Delhi every June.
So far he has not finalised any of the details of the festival, such as what events would take place as part of it.
However, he has arranged the delivery of six giant wooden elephants to Leicester, which would form a key part of the festival.
Now he has just days to find somewhere suitable to display and store the ornately-decorated beasts, which are on their way to the UK from the Indian subcontinent.
Mr Vaz said: "I was approached by people working for the regional government of Maharashtra, in Mumbai, who said they wanted to organise a Mango festival in the UK.
"They have organised a festival in Trafalgar Square and I said 'if you're coming to England you've got to come to Leicester!' They said it was a great idea.
"It would be wonderful to have the focus of the festival in Belgrave and a way of promoting all the fantastic green-grocers in the area.
"These festivals are a celebration of Indian culture and food – and what a coup it would be for us in Leicester to host the country's first mango festival – and before London!"
Mr Vaz now has to finalise the arrangements – including temporary homes for the wooden elephants, which are up to 24ft by 12ft in size.
The Mercury was the first organisation in the city to know of the plans.
Mr Vaz has already approached the Mercury about having one of the elephants outside our offices in George Street and is now contacting Leicester City FC, Leicester Tigers and large city colleges, such as Rushey Mead School and Soar Valley College.
"This is a bit of an SOS," he said. "I am delighted that the organisers of the first Mango Festival have decided to come to Leicester.
"The elephants are an essential part of the festival but we need to find locations where they can be displayed – and where they will be looked after.
"We are looking for groups, businesses or even individuals who would house and look after the giant elephants for a three-month period.
"I know time is short but it would be such a shame if we missed out on this great opportunity," he said.
Councillor Manjula Sood, assistant city mayor for community involvement and equality, said: "If the festival can go ahead it would be wonderful – much better here than in London!"
The council is organising a "multi-agency" planning meeting to discuss the proposals with Mr Vaz for Friday.
Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It sounds like an interesting proposal and I have asked our festivals and events team to provide advice and support to Keith to help him with its delivery."
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DMU Students Celebrate Chinese Culture and Raise Money for Earthquake Victims.
The University has one of the highest numbers of Chinese students in the UK and twelve Chinese student volunteers have helped organise the event, which is part of the University's award winning Mile2 project. Echo Hou, a third year Accounting and Finance student has led the project as part of a six month work placement on the Mile2 project, said that: "the event will be a great chance to tell people about many aspects of Chinese culture, we will have Chinese tea and cake and guests will be able to watch Chinese dancing, listen to Chinese music and try their hand at traditional Chinese calligraphy" As well as showcasing Chinese culture to students, staff and members of the public, the event will also be raising valuable funds for UNICEF in light of the recent earthquake in Sichuan province. The earthquake has killed 200 people and displaced over 10,000 residents. UNICEF already has over 40 child friendly spaces in the area and is monitoring the impact that the earthquake has had on children very closely. Although the event is free, there will be the chance for guests to donate money to the charity at the event. "Given the way that the earthquake has affected people in Sichuan province, we felt it was important that we used the event to raise money as well", Echo said. The event will take place from 1pm on Friday 26th April. If you would like more information please contact the Mile² team on 0116 257 7102 or email mile2@dmu.ac.uk
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The 'Jester from Leicester' was not at his free-flowing best, struggling to make a break of any note, but he showed enough class to race into a 5-0 lead.
Romford's Selt, ranked 45 in the world and a Crucible debutant, managed to overcome any nerves to win three of the final four frames in last night's session, but he faces a tall order when the match continues this evening.
Barry Hawkins awaits the winner, with Selby hoping to go all the way and complete the Triple Crown of World, UK and Masters titles in the same season.
Selby's fellow Leicester potter Ben Woollaston missed out on a dream second-round clash against Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Trailing just 5-4 to Ali Carter going into last night's final session, Woollaston failed to get a frame on the board and bowed out to last year's runner-up 10-4.