Plans to build what has been described as a 'monstrosity' by one Swannington resident have been thrown out by North West Leicestershire District Council.

Proposals for a four storey detached house at Foan Hill were submitted in May.

But planing permission has been refused - with one of the reasons given being that it would 'erode local distinctiveness by virtue of its inappropriate scale, design and mass of the dwelling'.

The application was made by a Mr A Statham of Barlestone.

But one resident's objection to the plans said: "I wish to object to the monstrosity of a building that is proposed for the incline between Foan Hill and Spring lane.

"The house design is totally out of character with the house adjacent and the houses within the vicinity. No house locally is above two storeys, and this has four floors of living area.

"The house position is on a hillside which dominates the view from the village's main road.

"During winter, when tree coverage is less, the road through the village will be dominated by this house on the skyline.

"The roads that this house is located on are both single track roads. A house of this size will significantly increase the volume of traffic in the area.

"This application would become a gateway development enabling future applications along both Foan Hill and Spring Lane to state that this house has set the precedent to allow further development in the area."

A council officer's report backed these observations.

Part of the report reads: "Whilst the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of residential amenity, flood risk, drainage and ecology, it is considered that the proposal would erode local distinctiveness by virtue of its