Abbey Bus Depot Phase 1 involved the major regeneration of the iconic former Abbey Bus depot site in Leicester into 100% affordable housing, directly supporting Leicester’s strategic target to deliver 1,500 affordable homes by 2027.
Having lain empty for nearly two decades, this multi-million-pound development on Abbey Lane was the city’s largest residential scheme and included 103 semi-detached and terraced houses ranging from two to four bedrooms, as well as 14 maisonettes of one to two bedrooms.
All homes were available for shared ownership or affordable rent and were designed to meet high demand for accessible, family-sized homes, as identified by local housing officers. Every home met N4 enhanced mobility standards, with five fully wheelchair-specific homes delivered in Phase 1 and seven more planned for Phase 2, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive, future-ready housing.
Located just minutes from Leicester city centre, with strong transport links and direct canal access, the scheme offers high-quality, affordable, and sustainable living.
Drone footage of the scheme is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcL6cSUvWzE
Morro Partnerships led the acquisition and delivery of the scheme, securing ownership in 2021 and managing planning, stakeholder engagement, land negotiations, remediation, and construction. This included liaison with Leicester City Council, National Highways, the Environment Agency, and local health officers.
The site, a former manufacturing facility and bus depot, required demolition, asbestos removal, and extensive remediation. Morro also negotiated gifting a strip of land to the council for a new bus and cycle lane, enhancing sustainable transport and canal access.
As part of its ESG commitments, Morro prioritised local supply chains and contractors, reused materials where possible, and created employment opportunities, including apprenticeships. The estimated social value generated in Phase 1 exceeded £1 million.
The development’s design respected and complemented the surrounding area. New homes facing Abbey Park Road and the canal mirrored the materials and appearance of adjacent streets. Timber frame construction was chosen to meet both sustainability goals and the character of the site. Character zones across the development provided visual variety and reflected its industrial heritage, with distinctive materials and palettes throughout.
Ecological enhancements included swift and bat boxes, hedgehog highways, and integrated soft landscaping to support biodiversity.
The development exceeded building regulations to achieve a high EPC rating, using a fabric-first approach with highly insulated timber frames to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. Through our partnership with Bakers Environmental, on-site material segregation enabled 80% of waste to be recycled, while 7.5 tonnes of unused materials were donated to local reuse organisations.
The scheme supported 14 apprentices on site and prioritised local supply chains and contractors, reflecting Morro’s commitment to skills development and community benefit. The project directly addressed Leicester’s affordable housing targets, with all homes fully occupied and overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents, particularly those on waiting lists for accessible housing.
Joe Reeves, executive director of finance & growth at Midland Heart, said: “The Abbey Lane site is a key development within our expanding East Midlands portfolio, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Morro to continue the investment in our region’s communities, and ensure everyone has access to safe, secure and decent homes.”