Plans to build new holiday accommodation in Coleorton have been thrown out by North West Leicestershire District Council.

An application by Mr Darren Betteridge, of, Coloerton, for a building to be used for tourist accommodation - along with three lodges - at Roseville, Outwoods Lane, was made in January.

The proposed access was to be located adjacent to Lower Moor Road, nearby to the crossroads with Outwoods Lane.

But it attracted a total of 55 individual objections - as well as others from Coleorton Parish Council.

Yesterday (Monday), the plans were rejected by the district council for a number of reasons.

The council admits that it supports the principle of holiday accommodation outside of limits, subject to a number of criterion being met.

But a council officer's report says: "It is considered the proposal would adversely affect and diminish the present open character of the environment resulting in significant harm to the character and rural appearance in which it would be set.

"And would represent an unwarranted and incongruous intrusion into the countryside.

"It would result in unacceptable consolidation of development to the western side of Lower Moor Road.

"As a consequence, the development would fail to protect or enhance the natural environment and would not therefore constitute sustainable development."

Coleorton Parish Council outlined a 12 point objection to the scheme, saying:

The Parish Council would strongly object to this application for the reasons detailed below: 

• The site is outside the limits to development, EC13 and conflicts with many sections of Policy S3, including the local distinctiveness and character of the landscape.  

• The site conflicts with the Local Plan / NPPF and is a totally unsuitable location for a 'Holiday Park'. Where are the local tourist attractions?  

• The site sits on an 'elevated' field therefore the whole development would be visible from the public highway. 

• The development is overbearing and over-dominant to the neighbouring properties in size, location, and style. 

• It adversely affects the unique character of the landscape. The whole character and topography of Coleorton, particularly this section of Lower Moor Road, is defined by houses separated by parcels of unspoilt undulating fields, of which this is one. 

• The Parish Council is concerned about the inaccuracies in the detail of the application documents. 

• The Parish Council is concerned about highways matters in particular, the visibility splays, its location to the crossroads and the increased levels of vehicle movements.

• Coleorton is no longer a sustainable village. The post office and shop has been lost just last year, the church 5/6 years ago and there is only a sporadic bus service. 

• The site is of archaeological interest as confirmed by previous applications.

• The site is contrary to the policy for leisure developments as there is no re-use of land, no sustainable transport links (contrary to IF4) and it undermines the unique rural character of this art of Coloerton. 

• The proposals do not conserve, restore, or enhance biodiversity (En1 (1)).

• There is concern about the removal and destruction of existing trees and mature shrubs on the site. 

It also said it fully supports the numerous objections made by other local residents.