A councillor has asked if electromagnetic radiation can be monitored on a new housing estate where a children's play area is set to be created in the shadow of an electricity pylon.

Members of Charnwood Borough Council's plans committee approved an application for 200 houses on land off Ingleberry Road on the edge of Shepshed, but one councillor expressed concerns about the location of a proposed play area for the scheme.

Other issues raised during the meeting included the potential for flooding as well as the impact the development will have on traffic.

But an agent speaking on behalf of developer Bloor Homes said no statutory consultees had objected to the plans, and that £2 million in financial contributions to local services and facilities had been agreed to offset the impact of the new homes.

During the meeting last week, Councillor Birgitta Worrall raised the issue of the pylon and electric cables on site, saying: "I am really concerned that a children's play area is planned for straight underneath those. I wondered if there are any plans to measure the amount of electromagnetic field radiation at all on the site."

Councillor Worrall added: "My concern is about the electromagnetic field radiation as there have been a lot of studies done and there are some potential increased health concerns when you live closely to them."

Planning officer Liam Ward revealed the National Grid's guidelines showed the location of the pylon in relation to the play area was considered to be safe, but he added the situation could be looked at again when the developer submits a further planning application confirming the full details of the scheme.

Shepshed Town Councillor Miriam Roberts addressed the committee to present a number of concerns, including flooding and sewage issues as well as the possibility that the access would be unsafe.

She added: "But what is most concerning is the fact that many of these houses will be affordable and there's no access to a bus stop which means people will have to walk, and they might be some of the most vulnerable people in Shepshed East, which is a considerable issue.

"Just to be able to get a bus you have to go down a very steep hill. I appreciate the fact this application has a good allocation of varying house types, it's just unfortunate where this application is located."

In response, Mr Ward said an extra bus stop will have to be provided if the plans were approved.

David Pendle, of Marrons Planning, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of Bloor Homes, said the highways authority considers the access to the scheme to be 'safe and suitable', adding that it 'will secure a net gain in biodiversity'. He said: "A comprehensive section 106 agreement package totals just over £2m worth of funding to mitigate the impacts arising from development."

The plans will see Iveshead Lane being stopped up at the south of the site, with an existing junction between that road and Ingleberry Road to be closed.

The vote to approve the plans saw 10 members vote in favour Two voted against with one abstention.