Four hundred homes are finally set to be built in Hugglescote - after the go-ahead was given almost seven years since outline planning permission was granted.

The scheme is on land north of Standard Hill and west of Highfield Street.

But North West Leicestershire District Council says the scheme can go ahead as long as 22 conditions are met.

And a number of issues were raised both by local authorities and residents.

An application was made by Jelson builders in 2018 - but outline permission had been granted in 2015.

A North West Leicestershire District Council officer's report reads: "Concerns have been raised by Hugglescote and Donington le Heath Parish Council and the National Forest Company in respect of the proposals, and objections have been raised by a number of third parties.

"The application site lies within limits to development as defined in the adopted Local Plan and is also identified as a site with planning permission.

"The proposed development is considered to represent an appropriate form of development in accordance with the outline planning permission and would provide for an acceptable standard of design to meet the Local Planning Authority's design objectives.

"The recommendation is to permit, subject to certain conditions."

Hugglescote and Donington le Heath Parish Council said:

• Scheme should be amended to ensure that rear access to additional properties on Highfield Street can be provided

• Proposed rear access service road should be a continuous route

• Measures should be considered to restrict car parking on the rear access service road

• Notes that protected trees are proposed to be removed.

However, the report also says that 58 representations - including from the Snibston Heritage Trust - have been received, raising the following issues:

Principle of Development

• New housing not required
• Development should be on previously-developed sites
• Loss of countryside
• Insufficient infrastructure (including in respect of transportation, education, healthcare,

leisure, waste/recycling and retail)

Highways and Transportation Issues

• Increased traffic/congestion on Highfield Street and the surrounding highway network
• Loss of on-street car parking
• Adverse impacts on highway safety (including pedestrians)
• Increased risk of damage to parked vehicles
• No pedestrian connection should be provided to adjacent private road
• Rear access and parking / garages should be provided to Highfield Street properties

Amenity Issues

• Flats not appropriate adjacent to existing dwellings
• Loss of privacy
• Impact of neighbour's existing trees on future occupiers

Environmental issues

• Pollution
• Noise
• Impact on ecology/habitats/biodiversity
• Up-to-date ecological information should be provided
• Loss of trees (including those protected by TPO and those within Snibston Nature Reserve)
• Light pollution
• Flooding / surface water run-off

Other Matters

• Loss of property value
• Loss of view
• Potential damage to adjacent property
• Affordable housing should be distributed throughout the site
• Appropriate diversion of rights of way should be provided during construction works.

However, the report concludes: "The principle of the development has already been established by way of the outline planning permission, and assessment is therefore limited to those issues falling within the reserved matters. "The reserved matters scheme the subject of this application is considered to be acceptable, and it is therefore recommended that reserved matters approval be granted." But permission was granted subject to the following conditions: 1 Compliance with outline planning permission; 2 Approved plans; 3 Landscaping (including future maintenance and management of proposed and existing landscaping); 4 Hard surfacing (including treatment of parking / driveway areas and delineation of parking); 5 Materials; 6 Boundary treatment; 7 Tree / hedgerow protection (including proposed TPO buffer zone); 8 Levels; 9 Pedestrian and cycle routes / connections; 10 Car parking / turning; 11 External lighting; 12 Windows, doors, rainwater goods, utility boxes, chimneys, eaves and verges; 13 Windows to car parking areas; 14 Bin / recycling storage and collection points; 15 Street name plates; 16 Retaining walls / structures; 17 Provision of signage in respect of unadopted roads / drives intended for public use; 18 Measures to prevent drainage of surface water into the public highway; 19 Strategy for provision of rear vehicular access to existing properties on Highfield Street; 20 Details of substations / pumping stations etc; 21 Details of works to watercourse (including culverting / headwalls etc.; 22 Precise configuration of Plots 286 and 287.