An outline planning application submitted to Leicester City Council incorporates a four-star hotel, together with new facilities for the University Hospitals of Leicester and the University of Leicester on Granby Halls, and a multi-storey car park and office development on the former Fosse site.
Peter Tom CBE, Leicester Tigers chairman, said: “We have worked closely with the UHL and the university to ensure their respective needs are satisfied, and we are in detailed discussions with several quality hotel operators who see this as an ideal opportunity to move into Leicester.
“This is an exciting and prestigious development bringing together three of the city’s major organisations – the UHL, the University of Leicester and the Tigers.
“In preparing the planning application we have taken fully on board the development brief from the City Council and believe the scheme will truly enhance the area and give Leicester another landmark development to be proud of.”
Commenting on the plans, the University of Leicester said: “Investment in accommodation and facilities for the University of Leicester’s growing body of students is key to the future success of the university.
“Leicester is already reputed to have the greatest cluster of world-leading researchers of any discipline in any university in the UK. We are a leading provider of postgraduate education and creating purpose-built accommodation for post-graduate students on a dedicated site will enhance our reputation in this competitive global marketplace for higher education provision.”
The University Hospitals of Leicester also backed the plans and said: “The UHL has embarked on a strategic review of the Leicester Royal Infirmary site and recognises the need to refurbish and redevelop the buildings there. The proposal to utilise the Granby Halls site presents a welcome opportunity to provide modern facilities for some services, which will start the redevelopment process by providing space to move services into, and allowing refurbishment and modernisation to take place within the vacated areas."
Leicester Tigers have already embarked on the ground redevelopment programme with the phase one construction of the new Caterpillar Stand which will be completed in August and will take stadium capacity up to 24,000.
