North West Leicestershire District Council has approved plans for more than 200 homes to be built in Hugglescote.

But while a meeting heard on Tuesday that the district needs new housing, one angry councillor described the decision as 'concerning' in relation to the council's policy on climate change.

Cllr Michael Wyatt also said it was 'disgusting' that Labour councillors abstained when the application was being considered.

The council's planning committee voted to allow the erection of 203 houses on land south of Grange Road,

A new development has already been built in the area - and this was a 'reserved matter application' which looks at the finer details of a scheme that had previously been approved in outline.

Councillor Nigel Smith, Chairman of Planning Committee at North West Leicestershire District Council said: "North West Leicestershire needs new housing and it's important that this is built sustainably and in the right places.

"This area of Hugglescote has long-been identified as a suitable area for development and fits with the district's adopted Local Plan.

"Planning permission for residential development on this site was approved in outline several years ago.

"Councillors were satisfied that this reserved matters application - which looks at the finer details of a scheme including design, layout and landscaping –  was acceptable and were reassured that the outline permission ensures there are suitable contributions towards amenities such as green spaces, education, health and other social needs, and it was therefore approved."

Cllr Wyatt and one other member voted against the application.

The Lib Dem councillor said: "It's another application permitted, another 203 houses.

"The Tories are obsessed with building at any cost. The Tories proved at the meeting that they have no concerns about climate change even though the council passed a climate change emergency motion only a few months ago, which clearly means absolutely nothing to them when it comes to building hundreds of houses.

"I certainly had genuine concerns about climate change and the need to address the urgency for zero emission houses, but the Tories once again dismissed this and agreed to pass the recommendation which will once again have a negative impact on the local and surrounding area.

"Also, I must say I'm disgusted that Labour members on the committee decided to lose their bottle and show complete weakness by abstaining against the proposal which in my opinion is another way of voting for the proposal.

"We cannot continue to just build houses without helping to tackle climate change.

"The Tories have shown once again they don't give damn about delivering on their climate change emergency."