Parking plan for former Leicester tower block site

A new car park will be created at what was once one of Leicester’s tallest buildings.

The site at Highfields was home to Goscote House, a 23-storey block of 134 affordable flats.

In 2018, Leicester City Council decided to demolish the 1970s-built structure and relocate its tenants after deeming it no longer met “the standards expected of modern accommodation”.

Demolition of the 66 m (216 ft) building was completed in 2023, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) and planning authorities have approved a plan by the authority to turn the land into a public car park, with an “initial limited period of three years”.

In planning documents, officials said “the site would eventually be used again at some point, ideally for residential use” but that the temporary nature of the plan for a public car park would not “detract from the long-term use of the site”.

Planning officials also highlighted the need for parking spaces to serve St Peters Health Centre, located opposite the former tower block site, the LDRS said..

The car park, once open, will provide 35 spaces, including two designated for disabled people, and will operate 24 hours a day.

Access would be via Willow Court, with drivers exiting via Moon Close, according to the LDRS.