A bid to improve Bradgate Park's 'potholed' paths has been approved by council officers. But concerns have been raised by park users and a parish council over vehicles used by staff.

The Bradgate Park Trust submitted an application in February to resurface parts of a 3.8km track looping around the 850-acre estate to Charnwood Borough Council. Planning officers have now given the green light to the scheme, which will see aggregate – pieces of stone similar to gravel – used on the path that runs from Newtown Linford to Old John and then onto the park's visitor centre.

The park has seen a boom in visitors since 2014, with 750k people – an increase of 250k – now visiting every year. The trust says the existing track becomes 'muddy, potholed and in many circumstances unusable' in bad weather, with tree roots being exposed and further damage caused by people veering off the path to avoid the conditions.

Work will now be carried out to shore up the paths for users. The plans also include benches and signage along the route.

Planning documents from the trust read: "A 3m-wide route will be surfaced which will also allow the park's Ranger team to carry out their work both on foot and by vehicle."

A report by council officers – who approved the application – said: "It is acknowledged that the park has been subject to extensive erosion which is attributed to an increased usage of the park, specifically the track that is the subject of this application. It is agreed that the proposal would assist in reducing the damage to the fragile and designated landscape within Bradgate Park and assist in restoring the landscape."

But the plans were not popular with everyone. Newtown Linford Parish council expressed concerns the resurfaced track might be visible beyond the park, and added the proposed track 'could lead to excessive use by Bradgate Park Trust vehicles and unwanted incursions such as [trail] bikes'.

There were also two objections from members of the public. One man from Canada said he had recently visited the park for the first time since 1981, when he left Leicestershire. "First [and] foremost I cannot believe what I am seeing. This request is absolutely ridiculous," he said. "The landscape back in the 70s was much richer in vegetation especially bracken.

"Pathways through the vegetation were much narrower, typically walking width of a person. Now I see roadways scattered throughout the landscape.

"Let's put the park back together the way it was before the 21st Century. There is no place for motorised vehicles in the park."

A local resident who objected said: "The 'track' proposed for development has never been artificially 'surfaced' previously. It may be suggested that the proposed surface width, 3m/10 ft, is excessive and cannot be justified based upon an understanding/assertion that the track is being surfaced for use by walkers.

"Is a major aim of the proposed development to provide, effectively, a 'road' for Bradgate Park Trust vehicles? The optimum solution is to prevent vehicle use within the park at all times (unless there is an emergency or unless there is no alternative option)."

When the application was submitted, James Dymond, Director of the Bradgate Park Trust, said: "Bradgate Park Trust recognises that the park is a very busy place at times and whilst many visitors do stay on the main carriageway, others wish to see the wider park. By resurfacing a main track up to Old John, we're aiming to provide a better route for visitors and also prevent the current damage and erosion taking place on this track.

"Encouraging people to keep to surfaced tracks will also minimise potential damage and disturbance to other areas of the park and important habitats and wildlife that make the park a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). We'll also be providing signs, route guidance, benches and information points along the route to enhance the visitor experience."

The planning officers' report concludes: "The proposal is considered to not result in harm to the significance of the heritage assets, nor be to the detriment of the character or appearance of the countryside, biodiversity, ecology, trees or neighbouring amenity."