Leicester has already experienced significant change over the past year, including the long-awaited opening of the city’s £16.8m Roman museum. However, a number of other major regeneration and development projects remain in the pipeline, with several expected to make tangible progress during 2026.
Some high-profile schemes have faced delays or redesigns in recent years, but local leaders say momentum is building. From city-centre regeneration to large-scale housing proposals, the coming year could prove pivotal.
Leicester Market
The former 1990s-built covered market was demolished almost two years ago, with plans initially announced for a £7.5m replacement described as being “fit for the 21st century”. Shortly after demolition, the project was paused as Leicester City Council opted for a fundamental rethink.
The revised vision would see the space transformed into a flexible public square capable of hosting large-scale events as well as traditional market trading. The site has remained fenced off while archaeologists carried out excavations, uncovering Roman and medieval remains beneath the surface.
With the archaeology now complete, city mayor Peter Soulsby has said the intention is for the square to be repaved and ready for traders to return by December 2026.
Leicester Railway Station
Plans to realign Leicester’s Victorian railway station form another major project with a stop-start history. The £22.6m scheme includes moving the station entrance from London Road back to its original orientation on Station Street, creating a new pedestrianised public plaza.
The council secured £17.6m in government Levelling Up funding, and early signs of progress emerged in October 2024 when the Parcel Yard pub next to the station was demolished. However, the project stalled after initial attempts to appoint a contractor were unsuccessful.
The city council has now confirmed that a renewed search for a specialist contractor will begin in early 2026, raising hopes that construction could finally get under way.
Melton Mowbray Stockyard
In Melton Mowbray, work on a £13.6m redevelopment of the town’s historic cattle market is due to begin in July 2026. The Melton Borough Council-led Stockyard project aims to transform the site into a food, events and cultural hub.
The plans include an anchor building for education, artisan businesses and food producers, alongside conference and event space. The existing trader hall will be refurbished for markets, while a new outdoor square will host performances and public events.
The council estimates the scheme will create 110 jobs and attract around 50,000 visitors each year. Earlier proposals to sell the site’s car park have been abandoned, with parking now set to be retained.
Coalville Town Centre
Coalville town centre is also set for change, with the next phase of regeneration expected to take shape in 2026. The former North West Leicestershire District Council headquarters on Whitwick Road was demolished at the end of 2025.
The cleared site will become Stenson Gardens, a new public space supported by £2m of council funding. The plans include landscaped green areas, with up to 38 new homes proposed in the longer term. The nearby historic Stenson House registry office will be retained for weddings and council use.
New Towns and Villages
Alongside regeneration projects, large-scale housing developments are moving closer to the planning stage across Leicestershire. Several district and borough councils are reviewing or updating their local plans to meet government housing targets.
Among the most ambitious proposals is Norton Heath, a planned settlement of up to 10,000 homes on farmland near Norton Juxta Twycross, close to Twycross Zoo. Developers say the scheme would include schools, shops, sports and leisure facilities, while campaigners warn it would cause irreversible damage to rural west Leicestershire.
Elsewhere, North West Leicestershire District Council is currently assessing an application for 4,250 homes south west of East Midlands Airport, alongside schools, shops, hotels and leisure facilities. A decision is expected before an October deadline.
Meanwhile, Blaby District Council is anticipating a planning application for a garden village of up to 5,000 homes on farmland between Countesthorpe, Cosby and Willoughby Waterleys, including proposals for a new junction on the M1.
Together, these schemes mean 2026 could be a defining year for Leicester and Leicestershire, as long-delayed regeneration projects advance and decisions are made on developments that could reshape communities for decades to come.
