Plans to turn disused city factory into new homes

A disused leather warehouse in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter could be brought back into use.

Developers have submitted plans for flats and office space inside The Carron Building in Rutland Street.

The site, which has an entrance on to Orton Square, was built at the turn of the 20th Century as a leather warehouse before being used as a textile factory until the 1970s, according to planning documents.

Applicant Moorhouse Projects Ltd told Leicester City Council the building has been left “largely vacant” ever since.

If approved, the scheme would create 16 one- and two-bed apartments with the basement turned into offices, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The developer said the site is “in urgent need of extensive refurbishment” inside and out.

The scheme also proposes a rooftop terrace.

The plan is not the first attempt to bring the property back into use.

Schemes for 23 flats and then, more than a decade later in 2018, a mixed-use scheme for shops, offices and leisure facilities were both previously approved but not carried out.

Moorhouse Projects said these plans showed the “development principles” of the latest application.

A public consultation on the proposal is set to run until 5 November, with a target decision date of 1 December.

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