A total of 77 new homes will be built in Coalville town centre after plans were unanimously given the go-ahead by councillors.

Tuesday's meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee met to discuss the scheme which will be on land in Wolsey Road.

It will be a 'wholly affordable housing scheme' with properties aimed at first time buyers.

The committee was told this development was being seen as another step towards to regeneration of Coalville and a key site as part of that.

Coalville Nub News last week gave details of the development which would be put to councillors at the planning committee meeting.

You can read that article HERE.

A planning officer's report said: "The homes are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible.

"Noise and odour assessments have been conducted with the nearby Linden Way waste depot in mind."

Applicant Matthew Moore, of Leicestershire home builders Ventura Properties Group said: "This development will bring forward others as part of the wider regeneration of the Wolsey Road area.

"There will be a green corridor through the site so that residents can live in an attractive safe environment.

"Our scheme is also fully contributing around £900,000 to the local education, open space and local highway improvement provision in North West Leicestershire.

"It is also attracting a substantial investment from Homes England, particularly Coalville town centre, of circa £16million.

"That means these homes can be delivered as soon as possible."

The scheme was given the go-ahead by the committee as long as street lighting issues are addressed.

But Cllr Michael Wyatt said: "I'm quite disappointed with the design of the estate.

"it looks like a big standard housing estate which will not enhance the town at all.

"I was expecting something a bit more imaginative and carbon friendly.

"It is the best place for housing, but the officers have missed an opportunity to push for something quite unique for the town."

Chairman of Planning Committee, Councillor Nigel Smith said: "This site is another step in the regeneration of Coalville.

"Since the demolition of the former Mitchell Grieve Needle Works in 2011 the site has detracted from the area.

"The committee considered the potential highways impacts of the development but were pleased to see a brownfield site being brought back to life and repurposed.

"Councillors were particularly pleased to see a fully affordable scheme to further support local housing need."