Ashby Civic Society has written to North West Leicestershire District Council requesting an update on the proposed pathway into the town centre from the new Money Hill estate.

The letter forms part of documents released by the district council which gives the go-ahead to the construction of a car park and internal access roads and formation of public open spaces.

However, the Civic Society says that the car park needs have suitable pedestrian access if it is to serve its purpose of providing more spaces for the town.

Last month, Ashby councillors Dan Harrison and Jim Hoult raised similar concerns at the district council's planning committee meeting.

The Civic Society's chairman, Ken Ward, also wrote to the district council last month.

An overhead view of the planned path from Money Hill

He said: "The development will increase the size of Ashby by a third, which will bring a huge rise in traffic and population.

"We have been following the progress of this development with interest, especially the provision of pedestrian access to the town

"The site master plan shows pedestrian access from the southern part of the site and its houses into the town via a public footpath to North Street.

"Currently this passes across land owned by three different parties and is not in a good state.

"The section across the field is in very poor in winter, with a great deal of mud, it unlit and certainly impossible for cyclists due to stiles, etc.

"It is fine for ramblers wanting to walk the Ivanhoe Way, but is not suitable for ordinary pedestrians and cyclists.

"The master plan however, shows that it will be perfectly suitable for both of these categories.

"Additionally there will be a large car park which is for people wishing to access the town and those wishing to visit the facilities around the car park, such as the proposed senior citizens home and even the proposed community centre.

"It would appear that improvements to the existing footpath have stalled.

A map showing the plans for the new Money Hill estate

"The finances promised by the developers will not arrive until the 100th and 400th houses have been built, so the path will not be finished for a long time, perhaps in three or four years.

"Meanwhile, pedestrians will have to use the entrance onto Nottingham Road which is much longer so use of the car park will be discouraged.

"Apparently, the owners have out the onus on to the county council who are of course responsible for footpaths.

"However there is no money being given to the county for such works, at least not for a very long time.

"We hear there is some funding for a feasibility report on the path, but this does not include contacting the three landowners! In fact the landowners have never been written to.

"As North West Leicestershire District Council is the planning authority for this development, can you explain to Ashby Civic Society how this impasse can be resolved? You agreed the master plan and are responsible for its implementation."