Plans for five new industrial units between Hugglescote and Bardon have been given the go-ahead.

North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee permitted the development despite objections being raised beforehand that it could take away the site of a potential station for the re-opened Ivanhoe Line.

Hugglescote Parish Council objected to the Harworth Estates Investments scheme on a number of grounds - including the possibility of a future railway station not being built in the area.

But the committee voted six to three in favour of the scheme which will cover 6,719 square metres of floorspace for either light industry, general industry and/or storage or distribution, with offices at land west of Reg's Way, Coalville - south of Grange Road and east of land being developed as part of the South-East Coalville urban extension.

The five units will be eight metres in height - but the plans are in hybrid form, a full/part outline application.

Cllr Russell Johnson, of Hugglescote Parish Council, spoke at the meeting in Coalville on Wednesday after calling in the application and said: "You have to ask yourself, does our community want more tin boxes of this size to the entrance to our expanding, welcoming village.

An example of one of the units planned for the area

"No, we don't need them. New residents moving into the village are horrified by the prospects of it. The proposed access is dangerous, near to an active railway line.

"Bear in mind, the units opposite Bardon Church are only 56 per cent occupied.

"If the committee were to give permission, it would bring into question for other parishes' neighbourhood plans if policies are ignored.

"Better use of this land would be the Leicester to Burton railway line.

"This threatens the integrity of the line and will not be supported in our plan.

An overhead view of the area to the left of the roundabout which would be the site for the units. Photo: North West Leicestershire District Council

"Development of a new railway station will be supported. The target date of 2026 has been put on a return to passenger services on the Ivanhoe Line.

"Work could start in 2024 and East Midlands Chamber supports this.

"This would be a way of getting people off the overburdened roads - this council has a climate change policy. But is this just words on paper?

"A new railway station would benefit the whole community. Please do not miss this opportunity and look for a better future for our taxpayers."

Cllr Dave Bigby said: "We've been told there is no immediate need for this, but that there is demand.

"Also, nearby houses will be looking up at some enormous warehouses, that's definitely overbearing."