A plan to build nine homes in Hugglescote has been given the go-ahead - despite concerns that the area's ancient medieval ponds will be disturbed.

The plan for land off Station Road, went before North West Leicestershire District Council's upcoming planning committee meeting on Tuesday, with councillors voting narrowly to approve the plan.

It is not the first attempt to build on the site, with permission previously granted for eight, two-storey homes and one bungalow there.

However, developer Hardingstone Property LLP submitted an updated scheme last year to instead build nine bungalows, saying this would "create more space" in and around each home, and meet demand for "much-needed single storey dwellings" in North West Leicestershire.

But the committee heard from one resident who felt that the scheme was on the site of the ancient Hugglescote medieval ponds - adding that it was as important to the area as the Manor House Ponds at Donington le Heath.

Coalville councillor John Legrys also said he felt it was another example of a 'loss of heritage' in the area.

Concerns were also voiced that the plans could disturb badgers' setts on the site.

The application has since been modified again, with one of the nine now reverted back to a two-storey property at the advice of planning officers who said that house would be visible at the edge of the development and two storeys would be more in keeping with other homes in the area. 

But local resident, Mr Michael Miller, was concerned about harm being done to the ponds and said: The developer's submitted plans show they intend to drive a road across, it will therefore be irreparably damaged, and its integrity compromised.

"This is listed as an important heritage asset in the Hugglescote & Donington-le-Heath Neighbourhood Plan. It's like a flight of locks running to the River Sence.

"Clearly, a roadway and construction machinery will destroy and or damage these ponds, and that's in contravention of the county archaeologist's advice - who also said they should be fenced off.

"But If they are fenced off properly, it's not possible to put a road across them which was what the developer wants to do. Then, who will the own the land once it's developed, and who will maintain the ponds for future generations."

However, the agent for the developer, responded that Lychgate Homes would be building 'much-needed homes' and that the scheme had the support of planning offices.

It was added that the historic fish ponds will be retained in situ, and planning conditions will protect them.

But ward councillor, Russell Johnson, who 'called in' the scheme for debate, added: "Water still flows into the ancient ponds and water still flows into them.

"The developer needs to build a bridge across them, as heavy machinery would destroy them."

He also said: "The applicant wants to destroy another 12 trees, I ask the council, 'Do they not like nature and ecology'? Also, badgers are a protected species."

The committee heard that the ponds were not considered in the same way as a listed building would be.

But Cllr David Bigby asked that assurances were given that the conditions protecting the ponds were adhered to.

Cllr Rachel Canny added: "I'm not happy, it's come back with a different plan. I cannot see how it can possibly happen without disturbing an ancient piece of archaeology which is important to the people of Hugglescote.

"We're also taking away the badgers' foraging ground. You already have planning permission, now it's been extended."

Cllr Le Grys added: "I'm deeply concerned about this application, and the damage to heritage assets.

"One of the things that is happening around Coalville in particular is that we are losing our heritage assets, whether it's early 20th century assets that are being lost in the town centre, such as the bakery or the Rex Cinema.

"But the fact is here that we do have some ancient sites, genuine, before Coalville was even thought.

"Where the fish ponds are there, they were used by the people at the various Manor houses and no doubt they were used by other people from the village when they needed to get some food. But they are there and those water courses are still running."

Cllr Ray Morris added: "It'd be a disaster if the ponds were lost, but could it be the maintenance may be improved if people lived there and looked after them. It's important these conditions are adhered to."

The proposed development was permitted by six votes to five.

• Additonal reporting from Hannah Richardson.