The pace of change

Beaumont Leys, a deprived area in Leicester, has suffered a poor image in the past, but the area has witnessed a significant transformation in its fortunes over the last 10 years – and those efforts have far from ended

It’s often said ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ and this certainly seems to be true of Beaumont Leys in Leicester. A combination of passionate local people and political will has forged a process of change – and maintained the pace come what may.

Over the last 10 years this combination of passion and ‘can do’ has transformed the area, though much work remains to be done, and it has continued to flourish with new developers and developments bringing new people and prosperity to the area. A ll kinds of developments and people are contributing to the continuing success of Beaumont Leys as an area to live and work.

Ashton Green, located in the northern corner of the Beaumont Leys ward, is the largest planned development in Leicester for over a decade. Intended as a sustainable urban extension of 3,000 homes, it will shape Leicester as Britain’s sustainable city by delivering a distinctive, safe, green place. It will become a thriving, prosperous mixed community with a strong heart and distinctive identity within the city – if the plans come off, of course.

Project manager and master planner Geoff Mee said: “We have a goal to create 1,000 new homes in the first five years of the project, including a primary school and other community facilities. You have to realise that with a project like this we won’t be finished for maybe 15 to 20 years. Getting it started involves thinking about the sort of community we want for the future.

“We are in consultation with local people. Developing Ashton Green has been talked about for 30 years. I think it’s important to let everyone have their say to support or oppose the plans we have drafted. You have to give everyone a chance to influence the planning process.”

Councillor Paul Westley, who carries the city’s housing portfolio, is enthusiastic about the scheme. He said: “I’m very happy to be in charge of housing in Leicester at a time when councils are being encouraged to build houses. I’m looking forward to getting this project underway to produce environmentally sustainable, family housing. It’s an exciting prospect to create a whole community living in state of the art housing and with excellent community facilities alongside.”

Partnership working by developers, the city council and housing associations has already created affordable social housing alongside owner occupation and private renting on a development in a challenging area.

Simon Breddy, a neighbourhood service officer at Midland Heart, said: “By building close partnerships with Leicester City Council and our contractors we have helped the community of Beaumont Leys rebuild its identity.

“We have redeveloped the area to provide a better choice of housing through low cost home ownership, rented properties and properties for outright sale. This has included 40 new homes consisting of two- and three-bedroom properties, two bungalows, a six-bedroom house and a purpose-built disability compliant home.

“The new choice of housing has attracted young couples and families back to the area which has made a positive difference to the mix of people living as a community. We’ve been supporting many of our new residents to settle into their new homes and the feedback so far has been extremely positive; they now have pride in their homes and the area they live in.”

Housing is not the only development area for Beaumont Leys. A large area of land adjacent to the local leisure centre has been earmarked for development into a sports village which will include a new speedway stadium. The Leicester Lions are hoping to be racing in a brand new £4.5 million purpose built facility by next year. It is hoped that the club will attract local young people interested in motorbikes and motorsports and provide a focus for local people to be proud of.

Central to all the development for the area are the three local councillors who actively pursue opportunities to improve the area. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a small improvement like extending a fence or wall, if it improves life for people on this estate I will see that it gets done,” said Councillor Lloyd Harris.

Among the local people who are making Beaumont Leys a better place is Ajmal ‘Hudge’ Butt. He has obtained funding and support to open a boxing gym. Unity Boxing Club offers people of all ages the chance to train for fitness and to learn the noble art of boxing. The gym is a local focus for healthy living and fitness right in the heart of the area. Interest has been huge.

“We have had 20 kids a night and I have 70 more on a waiting list for places. It shows that when you offer people something positive they will get involved,” Butt said.

Councillor Vi Dempster sees the gym as a focal point for developing young people into citizens of the future. “Boxing offers physical fitness, mental endurance and training discipline to young, local men and women,” Dempster said. “Hudge has called on these attributes in himself to get the gym open and is now offering his knowledge to all the people who want to take up the sport. He is an excellent example of the kind of local person who gives something to the community.”

And it is these attributes that are taking Beaumont Leys forward.