The formation of a 'Village Green' area off Beveridge Lane has been given the go-ahead by North West Leicestershire District Council.

An application, by the Harworth Group, as part of the wider South East Coalville development, for the green was made two and half years ago - and the scheme was recently given planning permission.

A cover letter from designers, the Pegasus Group, as part of the application, says: "The Village Green is a key public space and part of the Local Quarter, in front of the school and opposite the retail area.

"It has been designed to be an attractive space to receive pedestrians and cyclists from across the entire development as well as acting as a play and recreational space itself.

"Its design is appropriately landscaped and connects the surrounding spaces together conforming to the requirements of both the site wide Design Code and the Local Quarter Design Code."

A council officer's report says that the area would be the first 'principal' area of public open space when entering the site from the south.

It says: "It would form part of a wider area of public realm arranged around this principal junction of the "Gateway" and "Western Avenue" street typologies, sited opposite a proposed local centre and a recently constructed primary school.

"The scheme also includes part of a proposed feature crossing between this parcel and the school site.

"It is noted that the actual requirement to provide - and thereafter maintain - the public open space is set out within the wider development's Section 106 agreement; the current application in effect seeks approval for the physical works required to provide this part of the open space. Separate approval under the Section 106 agreement would still be required."

The council says that the principle of the 'village green' had already been agreed as part of the outline planning permission for the development.