A scheme for five eight-metre high industrial units between Hugglescote and Bardon are set to go ahead - despite fears it could remove the site of a new railway station for the planned re-opening of the Ivanhoe Line.

Councillors will discuss the scheme at next week's North West Leicestershire District Council planning committee meeting.

Harworth Estates Investments Limited have submitted the plans for the units which would cover 6,719 square metres of floorspace for either light industry, general industry and/or storage or distribution, with offices at land west of Regs Way, Coalville - south of Grange Road and east of land being developed as part of the South-East Coalville urban extension.

But Hugglescote Parish Council has objected to the plans on a number of grounds.

One reason given is that the development would take away the only feasible location for a station and car park to be provided in the Neighbourhood Plan area - meaning there is conflict with for support the provision of public transport services on the former Leicester to Burton railway line.

But despite the Department of Transport actively working on the re-opening of the line to passenger trains, a council officer's report say that definite plans to have trains running again are 'conjecture'.

However, the Campaign for the Re-opening of The Ivanhoe Line say that work would begin in 2024 - with trains running by 2026 - if the Government gives it the go-ahead.

A CRIL video for the planned line shows a station to be sited at Bardon Hill.

The station would provide added public transport access for residents occupying the extensive new housing developments in the area.

But councillors will be given an officer's report at the January 10 meeting which says the planned units would have no effect on the re-opening of the railway line - and they will be advised to permit the application.

It reads: "In this instance the proposal would not prejudice the route of the Leicester to Burton rail line (which would require development to physically cross the line), nor does it impact on infrastructure associated with the potential re-use of the rail line. 

"The 'support' aspect of both policies relate to the fact that if an application were to be received for a station, and infrastructure associated with a station (such as parking), then it would be supported in principle. 

"Such wording cannot, therefore, be used to stifle development on land which has not been safeguarded for the delivery of a train station, or land which is not in the control of a railway operator (or the District Council or Parish Council) which would be necessary for such a development to be delivered. 

"It is also the case that although work is currently taking place to look at the feasibility of reopening the line to passenger services, there is no firm proposal for its reopening and nor are there any firm proposals for the location of stations. 

"Therefore, the application has to be judged on what is known and confirmed, and not conjecture for what might be."

Hugglescote Parish Council also objects to the hybrid application - part full and part outline - as it takes away another section of countryside.

The line runs close to where the new development is planned near Grange Road. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

The parish council said: "The application site represents the last pocket on countryside on the eastern side of the parish that has not been developed and this 'green lung' provides open aspect views and offers a buffer from Industrial to Residential.

"Residents are likely to have major concerns about the development as they won't be able to enjoy the views from their homes particularly as the units are eight metres in height.

"These units will require mature trees in to screen the site. The landscaping will need to be designed to accommodate wildlife for example badger runs, owl boxes and bird boxes given that nature has been lost since developments have been undertaken as part of the South-East Coalville extension."

Hugglescote Parish Council added: "The proposed access and egress is in close proximity to the operational mineral rail line and the railway crossing is dangerous. The proposal will increase traffic on Grange Road."