Regeneration of an area of Leicester's West End could receive the green light today if councillors agree to sell land on Duns Lane to De Montfort University.

As part of the regeneration plans the council would demolish the derelict Bowstring bridge, which has been closed for a number of years because of safety reasons. The council closed the right of way over the bridge last year after a district judge decided that it was no longer a necessary route for people to use. Demolition would be expected to be complete by January 2010.

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This would clear the way for De Montfort University to proceed with plans for a new £6 million sports complex just a stone's throw from the city centre.

The proposed sports complex, which would be open to the public, would include a 25-metre swimming pool, a sports hall with six courts, a gym and a fitness suite. It would replace the current John Sandford Sports Centre.

Leicester City Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councilor Patrick Kitterick, said: "This will be a major redevelopment project to rejuvenate part of the city’s West End, which will bring a state-of-the-art new sports complex that will be open to the public to use."

If the sale of the land is approved, De Montfort University is expected to submit detailed plans for the sports centre during 2010, with work expected to begin in spring 2011.

(CD/BMcC)