Planners insist bat boxes are fitted at new church

A plan to convert a former warehouse into a place of worship which was initially refused due to concerns it might harm bats has now been given the go ahead.

The Universal Pentecostal Church applied to Leicester City Council for permission to change the use of the building on the corner of Sanvey Gate and St Margaret's Way.

But it was refused planning permission in July 2024 due to the "absence of adequate bat surveys" and concerns the scheme could harm the protected creatures.

However, the church has since completed the survey and has now been granted planning permission, so long as it installs four bat boxes and four bird boxes as part of the redevelopment.

The former furniture warehouse was built in 1972 and had been on the market since November 2022 with "no significant interest" from the industrial sector to bring it back into use.

The church said the redevelopment would include 11 classrooms and accommodation for ministers and could attract up to 350 attendees during church services on Sundays, with smaller gatherings during the week.

As well as the bat and bird boxes, the council has imposed a number of other conditions which the church will need to follow including making sure the site has appropriate drainage and suitable materials are used in the building work.

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