Plans to build eight new homes on a site in Hugglescote - which put badgers' setts and ancient fishponds at risk - have been withdrawn.

Market Bosworth-based builders Spinney Homes Ltd wanted to construct the houses at Station Road.

The application, submitted in August to North West Leicestershire District Council, was to include access and landscaping along with alteration and extension to 115, Station Road, demolition and repositioning of boundary wall and realignment of the frontage boundary wall to no. 117 Station Road.

But Hugglescote Parish Council objected in October to the scheme on a number of grounds - some of which involved protecting the nature and wildlife in the area.

The houses had been planned for an area away from the road

It pointed out that the fish ponds on site once supplied the Manor House - now a popular tourist attraction for the Coalville region.

The parish council said:

• The plans submitted do not show any arrangements for bin storage

• There are no electric charging points identified for the development

• As previously identified the badger setts should be relocated prior to any building work taking place

• The land contains ancient fish ponds, used to supply the Manor House. These are protected and should not be built on.

• The badger setts should be rehoused prior to any construction taking place.

• Any rehousing should be sympathetic to their natural surroundings not an artificial sett.

Spinney Homes had set out their vision for the development in a planning statement, recognising that No.115 was in need of restoration and that a former Wesleyan Chapel - now home to offices - was also close by.

The company said: "For the existing dwelling forming 115 Station Road, this has been vacant for some time and is falling into disrepair.

"This application will again bring it back into residential use and help to maintain/restore its appearance and positive contribution to the street scene.

"Without being brought back into use, this plot will continue to negatively impact upon the Conservation Area due to its poor state of repair, and as a result the poor condition of the associated grounds and any anti-social behaviour that occurs.

"The proposal would also not harm the setting of the former Wesleyan Chapel, a non-designated heritage asset."

But architects Aitchison Raffety Ltd said on Monday that the application has been withdrawn.