A new 'Local Centre' on a Hugglescote housing development has been welcomed and described as 'adding value' to the area.

North West Leicestershire District Council has given the go-ahead for 27 new homes - 20 houses and seven apartments - along with a centre which will include a shop and cafe/restaurant unit.

The area forms part of the development to the north of Grange Road and already had outline planning permission.

It was around two years ago that the first application, by Davidsons Development Ltd, was put before Coalville planners.

But in January, Hugglescote and Donington le Heath Parish Council gave its approval for the planned local centre - while calling for restricted trading hours to avoid disturbance.

In correspondence with North West Leicestershire District Council, it said: "The proposed design of the Local Centre is welcomed and adds value to the local area.

"Vehicle access to the centre and parking to the apartments is via a junction onto the main perimeter road.

"Given that the traffic using this access will also include service / delivery vehicles then, as this is the direct route, a swept path analysis should be undertaken to ensure that any vehicles can turn within the site and provide safe access and egress.

"Lighting should be provided to this car park to reduce any instances of Anti-Social Behaviour.

"It is further suggested that additional tree planting/screening is introduced to reduce any light pollution for the residents in plots 294-297 To avoid excessive disturbance for the residents, both in the apartments and adjoining properties, then conditions to restrict the centre's trading hours and delivery times should be considered."

A council officer's report says that the local centre was, at that time, indicated as being proposed on land to the eastern side of the proposed spine road, adjacent to the proposed primary school.

However, this proposal has now been amended, and the local centre is now proposed to this western side of the road - even though the school is still proposed to be sited to the east).