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Plans for £2 million revamp of Leicester's historic Braunstone Hall unveiled

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Plans for a £2 million renovation of Leicester's historic Braunstone Hall have been unveiled. The 18th century mansion is to be converted into a hotel, restaurant, wedding venue and conference centre. The Grade II listed building, owned by Leicester City Council, has been falling into disrepair since it closed as a junior school in 1996 and has been a magnet for vandals and arsonists and thieves. However Leicester businessman Naresh Parmar has now agreed a 125-year lease for the property in the heart of Braunstone Park subject to his proposals to revamp the house getting planning permission. Mr Parmar, who has previously restored the City Rooms in Leicester city centre and Belgrave House (corr) said: "I am very pleased. I have been hoping to be able to get this sorted since 2008 but with changes of council and such like it hasn't happened. "It is a building with tremendous potential. It does need a lot of work be we want to turn it from being a disused eyesore into a building that reflects its former glory." Mr Parmar said he hoped to submit a planning application in the late summer, start work on the renovation in January and open the venue, with 20 to 24 hotel rooms, in 2015. He plans to put up a pavilion with a cafe and public toilets for park users. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the city council would be putting £500,000 into Mr Parmar's scheme. Sir Peter said that since it was left vacant, the former home of the city's Winstanley family, has been costing the council between £15,000 and £25,000 in repairs from vandalism, arson attacks and lead thieves. He said the building would have continued to be a drain on the public purse if no deal had been concluded. He said: "We have granted a 125 year lease to Naresh, who has a real pedigree in restoring wonderful buildings in the city. That is a long period of security for what has been one of Leicester's unpolished gems. "Sadly for some time there has been a question mark over Braunstone Hall's future but this deal is a weight off my mind." Dorrian Gamble, of the Friends of Braunstone Hall group, said: "It's brilliant news. There are so many smiles on so many people's faces. "Unfortunately the building has taken a bit of a battering over the years from people who have not appreciated its history and its value. The damage is however mainly cosmetic. On the inside it is in quite a good condition. "it still looks a school with the old blackboards. "I am really looking forward to it being brought back into use rather than being left to deteriorate. "It will be a great future again in a wonderful place. You can stand here and not realise you are in the middle of a big city, it is that peaceful most of the time."

Plans for £2 million revamp of Leicester's historic Braunstone Hall unveiled


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