A decision on plans for the demolition of two Whitwck homes - to make way for 13 new houses - has been deferred by North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee.

The scheme, from Nick Harding and Joanne Tudor, centres on land currently occupied by numbers 137 and 139 in Church Lane, Whitwick, near Coalville.

Tuesday's meeting heard a number of objections to the plan, including the uprooting of eight trees and the pulling down of "two perfectly good homes".

But councillors were concerned that Leicestershire County Council's highways had conducted its Automatic Traffic Control during the Easter holidays.

It was felt this was not an accurate representation of the amount of traffic that would normally happen in the area.

However, it was pointed out by a council officer that the survey records the speed of local traffic, not the volume.

But Whitwick-based councillor Peter Moult moved the decision should be deferred, that which was seconded by the committee chair, Cllr Russell Boam.

Whitwick councillors Antony Barker, the ward member, and county councillor Tony Gillard also spoke to voice their objections to the plans.

A plan of the proposed Whitwick development. Image: North West Leicestershire District Council

Cllr Boam said: "I'm not happy that the traffic survey was done during the school holidays. There are other matters as well."

Cllr Moult added: "My major concern is one of access, I agree with Cllr Gillard in his representation.

"I'm not sure that the data in the ATC is a true reflection of the traffic flow. I recommend the County Council takes another one."

There had been a recommendation from council officers to permit the application for what would be outline planning permission.

That came despite strong objections in the community. 

More than 60 have been filed against the plan, along with those from Whitwick Parish Council and Hermitage ward councillor Barker.

The parish council criticised the proposal to demolish "two perfectly good homes" and to replace them with a "highly concentrated" development on what is currently grassland, saying it would be akin to an "act of ecological vandalism". The applicants insist the plans would provide "high quality housing" for the area.