The site of Leicester city’s former Filbert Street ground could now finally be redeveloped nearly 20 years after the club moved out.

The club quit its old stadium in 2002 and made the short move to to its 32,000 seat home.

The Filbert Street ground, opened in 1891, was then demolished after being sold to developers for £3.75 million.

The proposed Filbert Street development

What's now planned?

A large complex of student flats – Filbert Village – has been built but most of the 4.2 acre site remains undeveloped.

Part of it is being used as a car park but the rest is largely derelict and has over the years sparked complaints about its litter-strewn state.

Now there is fresh hope of the area being redeveloped with the submission of a fresh planning application to Leicester City Council.

Developers Winfox Ltd are proposing a new 242 room flat building up to 12 storeys high with underground and surface parking.

Another four floor block of 43 affordable flats is planned and ten three storey terraced houses.

poll loading

What do you think of the latest plans?

500+ VOTES SO FAR

Agents for Winfox have confirmed the scheme is similar to one that was first proposed before Filbert Street was demolished but never implemented because of the economic downturn.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the developers had contacted him about the proposals.

He said: “They are coming to see me soon and it looks like they are very serious about getting this site developed at long last.

“It has been frustrating and problematic getting that site back into use.

“There have been quite a few plans that have never quite got off the ground for a variety of reasons.

“The site has been at various times been in a bit of a state and has attracted complaints.

“The solution would be to get it built on at long last though it would be down to the city council’s planning committee to decide whether the proposed development is appropriate.”

The site of the old Filbert Street stadium

In 2013 the council took enforcement action against the then owners of the site who had been using part of it as an unauthorised car park.

At the time the authority said the continued use of it as a 220 space car park had been a barrier to the regeneration of the area.

Various planning applications have been approved but not been enacted.

The council’s planning officers are considering the scheme.