Ashby councillors have urged developers of a 62-bed care home to compromise on the proposed complex in Moira - which has been described as too big for the surrounding area.

The development is planned to be built close to the junction of Ashby Road and Blackfordby Lane and was originally given outline planning permission in 2018 after a 2015 application.

Now revised plans have been submitted and were discussed by Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's planning committee on Monday evening.

But it was pointed out that they differed noticeably from the original proposals.

Councillors objected to the fact that a three-storey building is now planned to be built next to Ashby Road.

One councillor said he believed this was for commercial reasons so that people would want to buy the apartments.

But the original plans had bungalows there instead and the committee - while objecting to the current proposal - suggested a compromise could be reached as there is a need for such a facility to be built.

The committee objected to the three-storey plan and said it should be limited to two.

However, if this was not possible then councillors said the taller buildings should be at the back of the development, away from the road.

Cllr David Bigby said: "The layout is completely different to the one that was on the outline planning.

"It warrants our concern.

"Originally, there were some nice buildings alongside the road.

"Now it has two enormous three-storey apartment blocks.

"They'll overlook the road and the people who live opposite.

"The plans show the scale of those buildings in comparison to the ones over the road.

"The apartment block is incredibly high. The neighbours do have appropriate concerns.

"There could be an objection on overbearing impact and loss of privacy.

"Originally, the plans had 109 parking spaces, now there are 34.

"It's hard to understand but this is only phase one of a two phase application.

"But if they build phase one with a home and 15 buildings at the back, there won't be any room for the apartments other than where they are shown on the plans, so by approving this part of it, you're approving the whole lot."

The application was made under reserve matters to stop the planning permission from three years ago running out.

Cllr Graham Allman added: "There is a critical need for this care home in the area.

"I believe the local landowner, who owns all the land like a horseshoe around it, has no objection to the application."

Cllr Bigby responded: "I do agree we need this kind of facility, it's the design I'm concerned about.

"They have to be properly planned and in the right place, personally, I don't think this is in the right place.

"Unfortunately, it does have outline planning permission.

"It'd be far better if it was closer to the centre of a town, giving elderly people access."

Cllr Dan Harrison added: "We do need to have these sort of facilities, they're absolutely essential.

"Whatever happens, we should not lose a 62-bed care facility.

"We have to be sensible, it could be a real advantage for the town.

"I don't think there's a space in the town to have something on this scale."

Cllr Roger Bayliss added: "I would say this is okay in principle, but take a storey off it."

Cllr Mike Ball agreed and said: "I think three storeys in that location is completely unacceptable.

"It'll dwarf everything around it. It's not the right place. They've got it all wrong and it's so different from what was passed.

"You have the tree that marks the centre of the National Forest, literally just down the road. To go three storeys there is awful."

Cllr John Deakin added: "Now is the opportunity to say that three storeys is too much.

"It needs to be kept to certain level to keep in with the surrounding area."

Committee Chairman, Jim Hoult, said: "I'd prefer the apartments at the back and the bungalows at the front."