Plans to demolish Stephenson House to make way for up to 14 new homes in Coalville have provisionally been given the green light.

Planning permission for the demolition of existing site structures - containing a number of commercial units - and the change of use to residential with eight houses and six flats, has been granted by North West Leicestershire District Council.

But it is subject to a number of issues being addressed, such a road access for construction traffic, the number of affordable properties and sewerage connections.

The application, from Mr John Poynton of Whitwick, was first made in June of last year.

Correspondence between the architect and the district council said there had been frustration over the length of time taken to make progress with the scheme.

But now the council has said the Ashby Road development can now go ahead.

A council officer's report said: "The site is situated on the north-eastern side of Ashby Road and is currently occupied by various commercial units.

"The application proposes eight dwellings to the site with the indicative layout submitted identifying that five dwellings would front onto Ashby Road with three properties being set further into the site with a block of six flats being created to the rear of the site.

"It is specified that the dwellings would be two-storeys in height whereas the block of flats would be three-storey.

"A new vehicular and pedestrian access off Ashby Road would be created to serve the development.

"In terms of the economic objective, whilst the proposal would result in the loss of the existing commercial uses on site and therefore the loss of some employment opportunities, it is noted that the site itself is not identified as an existing employment area and therefore there is no provision within the Local Plan for the retention of this site for employment purposes.

"Further to this, it is noted that some economic benefits would arise as a result of the proposal associated with employment in the construction trade, future occupants of the dwellings would also maintain local services in the area.

"In conclusion, the principle of the redevelopment of this site for residential purposes is considered to be acceptable."