The £17 million first phase of a historic regeneration project in the heart of Leicester has officially opened.

The first phase of the Abbey Meadows regeneration scheme, former home of the British United Shoe Manufacturing company (BUSM) in Belgrave, is now complete and will provide much needed affordable housing for the people of Leicester.

The first phase of Abbey Meadows comprises 54 apartments and 65 houses. The overall project will see the area transformed into a waterside district with more than 1,200 new homes, as well as offices, shops, restaurants and public open spaces.

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The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) supported the project with £6.8m investment, and both housing associations Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) and LHA-ASRA have contributed £4m. Leicester City Council's New Growth Point fund also provided more than £2m for the work.

Architects for this phase of the project were Marchini Curran from Nottingham, with the homes built by Westleigh Developments of Whetstone.

The final three stages of the Abbey Meadows scheme will be carried out by private developers.

When complete, the whole project will also include six play areas for children, offices, shops, financial and professional services, along with restaurants and bars, a nursery, and public open spaces.

The 12-hectare site is bordered by Ross Walk to the east, Hildyard Road to the south and the River Soar to the west.

Kitt McGrath, Area Manager for the HCA: "It's great to see the project completed, which will help provide high quality, affordable housing for local people. Our investment here is part of a wider strategy to boost the regeneration of the area and includes funding for the nearby Wolsey building extracare development."

(CD)