Leicester City Council’s £800,000 programme to improve city housing estates

Leicester City Council has launched a £800,000 improvement programme for the city’s housing estates.

New car parking spaces will be created, shrubs will be cut back and green spaces tided under the project.

The funds from the council’s environmental budget has already helped to improve Gees Lock Close, in the Gilmorton estate, through £90,000 worth of work.

Jayne Clarke, who lives in Gees Lock Close, said: ‘The new parking spaces have made a massive difference. It’s so much easier to park now and access for deliveries and visitors is a lot easier too. People used to have to turn their cars round on other people’s driveways, but that doesn’t happen anymore. It’s been a really good scheme.’

Six further improvement schemes are set to take place in Leicester housing estates this year.

Tenants, residents and councillors were asked to contribute ideas for the projects, while housing staff have also given their thoughts on what changes could be made.

Assistant city mayor for housing, Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, said: ‘We are bringing about a whole programme of improvements across the city. Some of the initiatives we’re undertaking are as a result of issues highlighted on estate walkabouts, at ward community meetings, or requests from tenants and residents. We want our estates to be safe, pleasant places for people to live in.

‘This budget is funded by the housing revenue account – money we collect in rent – so it’s being reinvested in the sort of improvements that tenants want to see.’

Work has already been carried out at Eyres Monsell estate too, where overgrown garden areas have been tended to by a landscapes team.

Other overgrown areas in the south of the city are set to be tided up to improve the quality of living for those housed there.

Further projects set to take place include a larger parking scheme at Ivychurch Crescent in Netherhall, verge hardening on Tatlow Road in Braunstone Frith, and flooding prevention on Donaldson Road, Belgrave.

Photo by Imran Suleiman