Housing at Eyres Monsell

Leicester’s housing crisis

Leicester had a housing shortage before the Second World War and with little new building during the War, it got worse. By the late 1940s, Leicester had a housing crisis with thousands of people still living in town centre slums. In 1950 the City Council approved the layout of the new Eyres Monsell housing estate. The land was purchased from Mrs Sybil Eyres-Monsell. She had previously sold land to the Council to build the Saffron Lane Estate in 1923.

Ambitious plans

Plans were made for 2,300 homes including three and four bedroomed houses, flats and bungalows. The new estate would also have schools, playing fields and a health centre. With materials and skilled workers scarce, a mixture of brick and concrete houses were built. The new ‘Easiform’ construction method was fast and cost-effective. Grey concrete walls were painted cream and tenants could choose brown or green for their front door. The first two houses were completed in 1951 and another 470 in 1952. 

Glenhills Boulevard on the Eyres Monsell Estate, 1959

Creating a community

In 1962 a Community Centre and nearby playing area was built on Hillsborough Road. 1964 saw the opening of a boys’ club on Whitteney Drive and St Hugh’s Anglican and St John Bosco Catholic churches. Two years later a working men’s club was opened. A new shopping arcade opened in 2013 on the site of the Invincible pub and Sturdee Road Health and Wellbeing Centre opened in 2019. Today, Eyres Monsell has approximately 11,230 residents and 4,669 homes.