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  • Netherhall Estate was part of the large “Scraptoft Valley” housing scheme, created to meet the needs of the city after World War II
  • The order was opposed by Leicestershire County Council and Billesdon Rural District Council, along with the National Farmers’ Union and owners of private property in the area
  • Other facilities followed in due course, including shops, a large recreation ground, a community centre on Armadale Drive, and two pubs; the Golden Age on Ramsey Way and The Moat on Netherhall Road

An Urgent Need for New Housing 

Netherhall was part of the largeScraptoft Valley” housing scheme on both sides of Scraptoft Lane to meet the needs of the city after World War II. The population was increasing by around 3,000 a year, but house-building ceased during the war, and many people were living in overcrowded or unhealthy conditions when it ended. Over 12,600 applications for houses had been made to the Housing Committee by the end of 1945, and in the following year the council made a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire additional building land beyond the borough boundary for the scheme.

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The Scraptoft Valley Housing Scheme 

The order was opposed by Leicestershire County Council and Billesdon Rural District Council, along with the National Farmers’ Union and owners of private property in the area. The issue was only resolved in 1951 following a government inquiry which found in favour of the City Council. Work finally began in 1953 to provide over 4,700 homes across the two sites. These were mainly houses without sitting rooms or parlours, intended for ‘wage earners working in Leicester’ and including a small number with four bedroom houses for larger families.

A New Community 

Other facilities followed in due course, including shops, a large recreation ground, a community centre on Armadale Drive, and two pubs, the Golden Age on Ramsey Way and The Moat (later the Monk’s Rest) on Netherhall Road.

Scraptoft Valley Infant School and Scraptoft Valley North County Junior School were opened in 1956; The Junior School opened in an incomplete state according to its log book. A library was also established and St Elizabeth’s Church Hall on Netherhall Road opened in 1959 for worship and social activities. The Scraptoft Valley Working Men’s Club, known at the Scrappy Valleywas founded in 1959. It was originally housed in a wooden hut and moved to purpose-built premises on Grantham Road in 1964

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Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.

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