A pub near Coalville has been given the green light for a two-storey scheme to expand its premises - after council officers received a mix of support and objections from neighbours.

The Donington Arms, based at The Green in Donington Le Heath, has been allowed to carry out an extension and alterations to the pub and restaurant to form additional kitchen space to cater for additional dining..

There will also be a living space above the pub, an extension to the garden area and associated car parking.

A report by North West Leicestershire District Council's planning department says that 25 responses were received by residents in the village.

It says that supporters of the plans gave the following reasons:

• The pub is a positive addition to the community and should be supported

• The proposals are in keeping with the area

• It will improve the viability of the pub and vitality of the village

• Supports charitable causes

• Additional part time jobs for the local area

However, it also gives a list of objectors' concerns, which centre around:

• Lack of parking and unsafe access

• Additional noise and disturbance

• Additional odour

• Trees and hedgerows have been removed, harm to wildlife

• Lack of drainage capacity

• Loss of privacy

• Additional lighting will distract drivers

• Flood risk

Hugglescote and Donington Le Heath Parish Council also raised concerns on the following grounds:

• Poor parking layout and design

• Reduction in visibility splay

• The external façade could be rendered rather than constructed with facing bricks to blend in with the street scene.

The application was made by Mr Karl Stevenson in April of this year.

But the district council report says: "The proposed extension in respect of its scale would be larger than the existing public house and would feature a gable design to the Manor Road Frontage.

"The roof design is somewhat at odds with the existing building,

"However, taking into account the varied styles within the area and the spacious surroundings around the proposed extension, it is not considered that that it would be unduly dominant or harmful to the character of the existing building, the street scene or wider area and would create some enclosure within the street scene where there is currently a large gap.

"The proposal would result in an intensification of the use and would more than double the number of diners that could be within the building at anyone time.

"In order to limit noise and disturbance, it is considered that a condition requiring that the external doors remain closed when there are events taking place or broadcast, or music playing is considered necessary as it was for permission granted in terms of the hours of use.

"It should be noted that the historic use of the premises is as a public house with no restriction on hours of use via the planning process, therefore it is not considered reasonable to impose such restrictions on the proposed extensions considered as part of this application.

"It is however considered appropriate and necessary to limit use of the external areas of the premises having regard for and being consistent with conditions imposed on previous applications relating to development within the curtilage."