Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has objected to plans for a residential caravan site for gypsies - including the stationing of 12 mobile homes in Packington.

An application for the change of use at Whitegate Stables on Coleorton Lane, was made in June by Mr James Toogood from the same site.

But when plans went before Ashby Town Council's Planning Committee on Monday, they were thrown out for a number of reasons.

• Local Plan. The land is outside the limits to development

• Highways safety, the site comes straight off a national speed limit road with no street lighting.

• Physical infrastructure there is no mains water supply, drainage or sewage disposal

• Social facilities - the land is not located within reasonable access to a services such as shops, schools,

public transport and welfare facility.

Packington Parish Council had previously objected to the scheme on the grounds of:

• The site is located in open countryside, outside of the development limits set out by Policy S3 of the North West Leicestershire Local Plan 2017 (LP). The land is currently designated as agricultural and should remain so.

• The proposed development is out of character in terms of its appearance with the surrounding villages.

• The application is for 12 mobile homes plus parking for 12 touring caravans.

• This could result in more than 50 people being resident on the site at any one time.

• This will result in a huge increase in traffic along the lane and using the field entrance

• The establishment of a large residential site such as this will set a precedent for development of agricultural land and green field sites surrounding Packington and other villages.

Ashby's planning committee heard there were 'numerous objections' to the proposals.

Cllr Dan Harrison said: "It looks as though they've lost their minds.

"They're putting it close to residential, it's outrageous. It just isn't right."

In June, the Packington Parish Council website said: "As you are aware, over the bank holiday weekend there was an illegal encampment on private land at Whitegate Stables, Packington.

"This site already benefits from planning permission 19/02034/FUL which is for the erection of stables.

"However, the site does not have planning permission for the activities that have taken place over the weekend which include the laying of hardcore, installation of fencing and siting of touring caravans.

"For this reason a temporary stop notice was served on Sunday 30 May."