Plans to build as many as 101 new homes in Coalville could get the go-ahead next week - despite strong objections and two petitions containing over 1,000 signatures.

Next week's North West Leicestershire District Council Planning Committee meeting is to discuss a scheme which would see the houses built on land north of Waterworks Road.

Committee members have been given a recommendation to permit the plans at next Tuesday's (Feb 8) meeting.

But it has been 'called in' to the committee stage because the District Council is the applicant

A council officer's report will be presented to councillors, which reads: "The development is considered acceptable in principle.

"Whilst the scheme would result in the loss of grassland of ecological and biodiversity value, when having regard to the site's allocation for residential development, and to the proposed off-site biodiversity mitigation, the scheme would, overall, be considered to constitute sustainable development."

However, a number of objections have been raised, including those of Leicestershire County Councillor Craig Smith.

Councillors will be told that 107 representations, together with two petitions (one containing 809 signatories, submitted by Councillor French, and one submitted containing 207 signatories, submitted by Councillor Eynon) have been received raising the following objections:

Principle

• Loss of green space / area for exercise

• Adverse impacts on health / wellbeing from loss of recreational facility

• Visual impact

• No need for further development

• Development should be directed to other areas of the District

• Site should be an Asset of Community Value

• Site is allocated for 95 dwellings, not 101

Highways/Access

• Insufficient traffic data / Transport Assessment

• Exacerbation of existing congestion issues

• Single means of access would be unsafe / fire risk

• Insufficient car parking

• Increased problems with on-street car parking/loss of on-street parking space for other

• Unsafe, particularly in respect of pedestrians (including children)

• Obstruction of routes during construction works

• Unnecessary/unsafe pedestrian and cycle link proposed to Oak Close

• Too many cul-de-sacs proposed as part of the scheme

• Public rights of way must be maintained

• Loss of trees/hedgerow

• Loss of habitat/impact on wildlife

• Impact on protected species

• Site should be retained for biodiversity enhancement

• Insufficient arboricultural and ecological survey information

• Insufficient infrastructure to accommodate the development (including in respect of transportation, shops, policing, healthcare and education)

• Noise

• Pollution/impact on air quality/dust/odour

• Impact on climate change

• Insufficient drainage/flood risk

• Misleading literature circulated indicating that the development is required to fund the proposed leisure centre

• Increased risk of crime

• Overlooking/loss of privacy

• Incorrect site boundary in ecological report

• Inappropriate to submit application during a pandemic

• Insufficient time to comment on the application

• Any damage to neighbouring property from construction works should be paid for/repaired

• Site should be redeveloped as a solar farm

• Site should be developed into woodland

• Proposed appearance of the development would be out of keeping with the surrounding area/properties

• Insufficient open space proposed

• Flats would be out of character

• New fencing should be provided to boundary with adjacent property