Councillors are set to debate the prospect of 200 new homes for Shepshed at a council meeting this week.

The site is west of Ingleberry Road on land in the National Forest and is currently used for farming.

But Charnwood Borough Council planning officers have recommended the scheme by Bloor Homes be approved, subject to financial contributions to local facilities and services being agreed.

The access to the development will be from Ingleberry Road. The council's report on the application says Iveshead Lane is to be stopped up at the south of the site, with an existing junction between that road and Ingleberry Road to be closed.

There were seven letters of objection received from local residents, voicing various concerns including the impact on traffic, risk to pedestrians, the possibility of people using the new estate as a rat run due to the stopping up of Iveshead Road, flood risk concerns and the fact the site is in the National Forest and close to Shepshed Quarry.

Shepshed Town Council also wrote to express concerns covering similar issues, but saying the footpath link along Ingleberry Road is unsuitable and asking for a financial contribution towards regenerating the town.

A report by planning officers reveals there will be open space, including play areas and ponds, and adds that part of the site is 'at high risk' of surface water flooding, but that the site as a whole sits in a low risk flooding zone. The report reads: "In conclusion, it is considered that there are no impacts of the development of this site that cannot be mitigated and that would be so significant and demonstrably harmful as to outweigh the benefits of providing housing development in a sustainable location."

It adds that 'future residents would contribute to the local economy and support shops and services through household spending'. Members of the council's plans committee will decide on Thursday if the scheme will go ahead.

A number of housing schemes have been approved for Shepshed recently. Last year, the planning inspector gave the go ahead to 50 homes on land west of Iveshead Road after they were turned down by the council. A further 210 homes are being built by Persimmon Homes as part of the Jubilee Rise development off Ashby Road West.