FCV Football Academy has been given the go-ahead for an international size pitch at its Grace Dieu Manor site in Thringstone.

The application was originally made last September, but a revised plan had to be submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council due to concerns over the scheme.

The case officer, the Council's Conservation, Tree and Environmental Protection Officers, and the County Ecologist all asked for changes to be made.

Now, the amended plans remove lighting from the scheme, introduce an access path and enclosures around parts of the pitch and show the football pitch cut into existing land levels while making provision for new tree planting around the perimeter, along with an area of wildflower grassland.

The hybrid pitch will measure approximately 68m by 104m for use in connection with the Academy near Coalville.

The football pitch will be located to the south east of Grace Dieu Manor and its associated buildings which are occupied by the Academy.

The site is currently a field and is elevated above the surrounding land levels to the north, east and west due to the topography of the landscape.

Sports England has no objection to the scheme, noting that even greater benefits would be had if the facilities are made available to the wider community outside of the academy use requirements.

But one resident objected on the grounds that there could be a noise problem and questioned the hours of use.

The subject of allowing third party use of the facility, saying there could be impacts on the development if it is opened to the public - resulting in pressure to add floodlighting.