Plans to turn part of a garden centre into a family entertainment venue have been given the go-ahead by North West Leicestershire District Council.

Sunnyside Garden Centre in Ibstock, applied for the change of use in October.

Ibstock garden centre reveals redevelopment plans.

The plans involve turning a soft play centre into indoor family entertainment centre, containing soft play centre and cafe, indoor adventure golf and casual dining restaurant and bar.

The garden centre wants to expand - and a design sand access statement presented to the council supports the plans, saying it will add to the district's leisure facilities and create jobs.

The development also plans to add another 160 car parking spaces to the centre.

But, while local authorities had no objection to the scheme, a number of points were raised by members of the public.

These were:

• Proposed development would have a greater impact on highway safety as a result of an increase in traffic at the site entrance, particularly when combined with traffic associated with the brickworks.

• Vehicles travel in excess of the speed limit on Leicester Road.

• Consideration should be given to the site access being relocated so as to reduce the impacts to residential properties and improve highway safety.

• Proposed development will result in further impacts to residential amenity from overlooking, noise and smells as a result of the increase in the hours of operation and additional uses within the building.

• The headlights from vehicles exiting the site cause disturbance to the properties directly opposite the access, the increased hours of use would result in a greater impact in this respect.

• The site notice has been displayed within the grounds of the garden centre and consequently is not visible to all.

• A car park has been constructed without neighbours being notified of this proposal.

• The applicant has commenced advertising for employment associated with the proposed uses before planning permission has been granted.

A lengthy response in a council officer's report addressed the issues.

It concluded: "Although outside the defined Limits to Development the proposal is considered appropriate in the context given that it relates to the expansion of a business in a rural area, and is a recreational form of development

"It is also considered that the proposal would not impact adversely on the vitality and viability of the Ibstock Local Centre.

"On this basis there would be no conflict with the adopted Local Plan. It is also considered that the proposal, as submitted, would not impact adversely on the character and appearance of the surrounding locality, residential amenity or highway safety, nor would the proposal increase the risk of flooding.

"It is considered acceptable for the purposes of the above mentioned policies."