Plans for six holiday lodges on land in Newbold Coleorton have been given the go-ahead - despite strong opposition.

The scheme is designed to promote tourism in the area following the initial application which was made 18 months ago.

It was supported by evidence that a similar site at Hartshorne had proved popular with holidaymakers.

There will be six timber-clad holiday lodges, along with associated works such as a new package treatment plant and the retention of raised land levels.

A council officer's report says: "The timber lodges will be positioned around the site, and each lodge will have associated foul drainage and parking facilities.

"The site will be accessed via Pipeyard Lane, a narrow, private, unadopted road that links to Worthington Lane, a public highway. The development is proposed for use as short-term holiday accommodation, aimed at supporting tourism within the district."

The development, four miles away from Coalville, was given the green light despite opposition from Worthington Parish Council due to planning policy, flood risk, biodiversity, land contamination, lack of need for holiday accommodation, overlooking, privacy and the loss of greenfield land.

Ward councillor, Ray Morris, objected on the grounds of:

• Poor access

• Harm to biodiversity

• Flood risk

• Inappropriate development in the countryside

• Noise impacts on future users.

There were also 14 comments from the public, addressing such issues as:

• Contrary to Local Plan policies regarding development in the countryside

• Increased flood risk due to the unauthorised raising of land levels and inadequate drainage solutions

• The development is in an unsustainable location, lacking nearby amenities within walking distance

• Concerns about additional traffic and poor access to the site via Pipeyard Lane, which is narrow and unsuitable for increased vehicular movements

• Noise impacts on holiday lodge users from the nearby FedEx and TNT depots

• The proposed development is out of keeping with the rural character of the area

• Limited economic benefits from the holiday lodges, as there is no evidence of a demand for this type of accommodation in the area

• Contaminated land from unauthorised tipping, including concerns about asbestos and other hazardous materials

• The proposal will result in overlooking and loss of privacy for neighbouring residents

• The proposed use is incompatible with adjacent commercial operations

• Lack of evidence demonstrating the need or demand for the holiday lodges

• Potential harm to biodiversity, particularly due to the site's proximity to watercourses and the presence of protected species, such as great crested newts.

But the council officer's report concluded: "The lodges, being timber-clad and modest in scale, are considered appropriate for a rural setting. The proposal is therefore considered capable of safeguarding the landscape's appearance, subject to conditions securing landscaping and appropriate mitigation.

"The scheme's integration with existing development is limited but acceptable in the context of the proposed use as a tourism facility.

"The proposed development supports the local economy by providing tourism accommodation, which is likely to encourage visitors to use local services and amenities in nearby settlements such as Newbold and Coalville. The development is not of a type or scale that would undermine the vitality or viability of existing town or local centres. It is therefore compliant with this criterion.

"It is likely that the tourism use would heavily rely on private vehicles and this is not uncommon for rural tourism developments.

"Newbold is designated as a Small Village with a limited number of services to meet day to day needs. However, given the use proposed relates to tourism accommodation rather than open market dwellings, and the provision of a pub and a cafe within the village, as well as links to higher order settlements via public transport, it is considered overall that the scale and nature of the development is sufficiently sustainable in this location."