Plans to build five homes on the site of a demolished property in Whitwick could get the go-ahead next week - despite strong local opposition.

District councillors will be recommended to permit outline planning permission for the development at what was 86, Leicester Road.

North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee will meet to discuss the scheme a week on Thursday (July 20).

But despite objections from Whitwick Parish Council and letters from 24 local residents, a council officer's report says the plans should be allowed, but with conditions attached.

The application was made last August by Loughborough-based company P&S Planning & Development Ltd.

But it has now been 'called in' to be debated by councillors in Coalville.

The council officer's report says the decision was made 'at the request of the Strategic Director for Place due to local concerns in relation to this scheme'.

The former property on the site was demolished prior to the submission of the planning application, adds the report.

A planning statement sets out that the intention is to build three two-storey dwellings and two chalet-bungalows on a site previously occupied by a detached two-storey house.

The proposed scheme would be served by a new vehicular access with the closure of the existing access drive.

But Whitwick Parish Council has raised concerns on the following grounds:

• Concern about the close proximity of the access to a road junction opposite given the number of vehicles likely to be generated by the proposal and the speeding problem on Leicester Road as evidenced by the parish council VAS scheme that monitored incoming/outgoing traffic twice per year

• An ancient wall (which is on Turnpike maps) is of historical interest and a key character of the village so should not be demolished for a residential development

• The properties were sited too close to remaining trees protected by the Tree Preservation Order

• Ancient trees have been removed without any planning application or permission

• The subterranean stream was a factor to consider as changes to the site had already resulted in flooding problems and potentially affected the water table

• Damage to the sewers was suspected and should be investigated further by Severn Trent to prevent environmental damage in this village with flooding and contaminated raw sewage is a known risk

• The previous farmhouse building was demolished without any planning application or consent

The site in Whitwick could see five houses built

• The proposed plans still showed encroachment onto neighbours' properties and had inaccurate information on the boundary structure

• Enforcement action should be taken by the District Council for the farm building to be rebuilt and the site reinstated as previously

• Should the application be approved, the parish council wishes to ask what environmental mitigation measures are being taken by the applicant to help improve or off set their environmental impact within Whitwick

But the report says that some of the objections have already been acted upon.

It adds: "In respect of matters relating to the previous removal of buildings and trees on the site and the associated alleged impacts on bats and birds, this has been subject to Enforcement investigations.

"The cases were closed by the Enforcement team as it was established that no works to protected trees had been undertaken.

"In respect of the demolition works, the Enforcement team concluded that it was not expedient to take action in respect of the absence of prior approval of the demolition works as the applicant advised of their intention to submit proposals to redevelop the site.

"It should also be noted that an application for the prior demolition of a building does not allow consideration of the impacts upon ecology by the District Council.

"However, the applicant would still be bound by separate protected species legislation, but this would not be enforceable by the District Council (it would be enforced by the Wildlife Crimes division of the Police).

"Notwithstanding, the Enforcement history on this site, Members are advised that the current proposal can only be assessed on the planning merits of the proposal."

The report concludes: "The site lies within the Limits to Development where the principle of new residential development is considered acceptable.

"The proposed access and layout do not give rise to any significant impacts regarding residential amenity, design and visual amenities, flood risk and drainage, ecology, trees or highway safety.

"There are no other relevant material planning considerations that indicate planning permission should not be granted."