Major New Leicestershire Development Takes Step Forward

A new shopping centre that will form part of Leicestershire’s New Lubbesthorpe development has taken a step forward after law firm Shakespeare Martineau completed on a multi-faceted transaction.

Planning permission for the scheme – which will include a Sainsbury’s Local store, three shops and a cafe, as well as a medical centre on the first floor – was granted by Blaby District Council’s planning committee in July.

Once construction is complete, the project is expected to also include a luxury 66-bedroom care home and day nursery serving the wider New Lubbesthorpe development, which will feature more than 4,000 new homes.

The Shakespeare Martineau infrastructure team – which included Leicester-based partners Jonathan Fear and Martin Jones, legal director Ben Darlow, chartered legal executive Sam Polo-Tolley, and assistant Harriett Evans – acted for landowner The Drummond Estate, which is working in collaboration with developer Charterpoint to bring the scheme to fruition.

Shakespeare Martineau’s Jonathan Fear, who led the transaction, said: “We are thrilled to have completed on a transaction that will lead to the creation of the first local centre at the New Lubbesthorpe development. This is a huge milestone for the scheme, which will be a fantastic asset for the new community.”

Work on the New Lubbesthorpe development – which is set in 325 acres of new parklands and wetlands between Leicester Forest East and Enderby – started in 2015 and the first families arrived in 2017.

The scheme, which is being developed in phases over two decades, currently has more than 900 occupied homes, a primary school, community hub, children’s play areas, games areas and a public open space.

Martin Jones, who heads the firm’s infrastructure team, said: “Our involvement in such a significant deal is further indication of our expertise in delivering on major infrastructure works, as well as residential and commercial developments. Our local knowledge and regional office location puts us in prime position to support transactions within the East Midlands.

“With a total of 4,000 homes in the pipeline, the development will help address the UK’s chronic lack of housing, while also delivering quality commercial spaces to create a desirable, sustainable community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the scheme will have on Leicester’s landscape.”