A motion to reinstate land on Meadow Lane into the local plan has once again met with opposition from North West Leicestershire District Council's deputy leader.

Thursday's full council meeting in Coalville will see Labour councillors put forward the motion, which has been received by Cllr Simon Lambeth.

It says that council officers placed the site 'first in the hierarchy for housing development in the area'.

But it also adds that the new local plan submission could be rejected, 'potentially leaving North West Leicestershire open to widespread development'.

Last year, a similar motion was defeated after meeting strong opposition from Liberal Democrat councillor, Cllr Michael Wyatt, who said that the move risked over 400 houses being built on the open countryside site.

This week's motion has brought a response this week from Cllr Wyatt.

The Labour motion appears on the agenda for Thursday's meeting and says: "I hereby move that C76 Meadow Lane be reinstated into the local plan. This motion is based upon the recommendation that was given by the planning officers and the thorough site assessment methodology that was provided by independent consultants.

"The assessment by officers noted that the site records one of the best scores in the Coalville Urban Area with, good access to services and facilities, and, after careful consideration, they reached a conclusion, that the site was placed first in the hierarchy for housing development in the area.

"The Guide to Probity in Planning for Councillors and Officers, suggest that where advice and recommendation for acceptance are given by officers - then generally these recommendations should be followed. Where councillors decide to overturn the advice, then the decision and reasons need to be explained and documented.

"It is important to recognise that non-inclusion in the local plan may result in an appeal to the planning inspectorate, with the appeal being based on national and local planning policy guidance and, in this instance, it is particularly relevant given that the officers have already concluded that the site meets the criteria.

"A rejection increases the likelihood of the council losing the appeal, potentially, this could leave it in the position that the new local plan submission could be rejected, potentially leaving North West Leicestershire open to widespread development.

The North West Leicestershire District Council meeting will be held on Thursday. Photo: Coalville Nub News

"It is important that proper consideration has been given and that we are certain that we have attained the best outcome for the entire community within the District."

But Cllr Wyatt issued a response ahead of this week's meeting.

He said: "I condemn the Labour motion going to full council - which is nothing but political mischief making and a deliberate attempt to overturn a democratic vote taken by the committee to remove Meadow Lane from the list of potential sites for development. 

"The reasons given to remove Meadow Lane from development are sound and valid. There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest within the area in question, the environment agency recently published flooding alerts on this piece of land, unacceptable levels of traffic affecting the local community, and the destruction of a site within the Charnwood forest area. The list is endless."

Coalville Meadows is a 6.0 hectares (15 acres) site between Whitwick and Coalville and is managed by the Friends of Holly Hayes Wood.

Twelve months ago, documents showed that homebuilder Redrow has already drawn up plans for the Holly Hayes Gate development at Meadow Lane.

But Whitwick councillor Peter Moult said last year that Meadow Lane should be included in the local plan as there needs to be an area of separation between Coalville and Whitwick.

The motion would have seen the Broom Leys Farm site taken out of the Local Plan.