Ashby councillors made their feelings known when the latest stage of the Money Hill development was given the green light on Tuesday.

At the meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council's Planning Committee, councillors approved the key details of the previously-approved 605-home scheme on the outskirts of Ashby.

The estate was was given outline planning permission in 2016.

While the principle of the development was previously agreed, the committee discussed the access, appearance, landscaping and layout for the development.

Ashby Town councillors Jim Hoult and Dan Harrison - acting as the representative for the ward where the houses will be built - both raised concerns about the proposed footpath linking Money Hill to the town centre at North Street.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, along with a number of local residents had objected to the application - in particular, the Nottingham Road section, as there is still disagreement over a path into the town, linking the new development.

At a recent meeting of the town council's planning committee, councillors were concerned that the new three metre cycleway ends at the boundary of the developer-owned land.

The continuation of the route to North Street is the responsibility of Leicestershire County Council. 

An outline map of the new Money Hill development

But developers have agreed to provide funds for the County Council to complete the work. 

This was raised by Cllrs Hoult and Harrison.

Cllr Harrison said he was concerned that extra parking spaces promised by the County Council at Money Hill would not be beneficial if there was no connecting path to the town.

Cllr Hoult said that the current path was too rough for regular use and needed proper tarmac work.

A representative for the developers said that the estate should not be held up by this matter as it was not included in plans for the new homes.

The wider Money Hill site will also include an extra care unit, primary school, a new community hall and neighbourhood retail units - as set out in previous plans.

Speaking about the decision, Chairman of Planning Committee, Councillor Ray Morris said: "Councillors approved the principle of the development in 2016 following an earlier appeal to the Secretary of State, and that approval included contributions from the developer to improve the footpath link from the site to North Street.

"So conversations on this application focussed on how the homes and roads will look."