May 2003
Vote of Confidence in Leicester Regeneration Company
Two major sites totally around £5 million have been purchased on behalf the Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC) as a first step in implementing its masterplan.

The company’s funders, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the national regeneration agency, English Partnerships, have each bought key sites in Leicester.

English Partnerships has bought a 5.5 acre site at Abbey Lane, adjoining the new Greens Health and Fitness Club. The site will be used to assist in the relocation of businesses in the LRC area, facilitating key housing projects in the Abbey Meadows area.

Mark Rogers, English Partnerships’ Senior Development Executive, said “This is our first land purchase in Leicester, and shows the strength of our support for LRC. We are partners in the company and plan to be fully involved in assembling sites and assisting in the delivery of the LRC masterplan, a key strategic area for English Partnerships.”

Emda has bought the 1.3 acre Police Station in Charles Street. Leicestershire Constabulary will continue to occupy it until their planned move in Autumn 2004. LRC and emda intend to have redevelopment details fully worked out to implement as soon as possible.

Ian Lodder, emda’s Head of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire teams, said, “We strongly support LRC’s strategy, and particularly the proposals for a Prime Office Core round the railway station. It will help to diversify Leicester’s jobs base, which relates directly to our target of becoming a top twenty European region by 2010. Redevelopment of this site is an essential first step. We envisage a high-quality design, retaining and reusing the important listed building in this developing part of the city.”
Emda’s purchase is their third in the LRC area. Two years ago they bought the Abbey Meadows depot. Leicester City Council currently occupies the site, but will be moving shortly, freeing the site for LRC’s proposed Science and Technology Park. Emda also own the former William Caple site, which will form a key part of the LRC’s masterplan.

Peter Wheeler, Chairman of LRC said; “This is great news. Putting sites together is the first step in implementing our masterplan, and such strong support from two of our key partner bodies is invaluable. It shows that the plan is for real, and the action is starting. We are delighted”.

For more information on the work of the LRC please visit leicesterregeneration.co.uk.

MEDIA INFORMATION: For further details please contact Janine Williams on .

Notes to Editors:
Urban Regeneration Companies have been promoted by the government and established by local partners, to champion and stimulate new investment into areas of economic decline and co-ordinate plans for their regeneration and redevelopment. The national regeneration agency, English Partnerships, is involved in the 11 existing URCs and facilitates the sharing of best practice through conferences, symposium and the website, www.urcs-online.co.uk where more information can be found.
Leicester Regeneration Company is funded by English Partnerships, East Midlands Development Agency and Leicester City Council.

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