Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club's ambitious plans to expand its site at Lower Packington Road could get the go-ahead next week.

District councillors have been recommended to permit the application despite some opposition local residents.

The scheme been 'called in' by ward councillor Dave Bigby on the grounds that:

• It will impact on the residential amenity of the closest occupiers of his ward to the site.

• Will impact on highway safety in his ward, specifically in terms of traffic and parking

• Is unacceptable development in the countryside

• Will impact on the River Mease Special Area of Conservation

As a result, the application will go before councillors at next week's North West Leicestershire District Council planning committee meeting (Thursday, July 20).

They will be presented with a report that says 66 letters of representation were received from surrounding neighbouring properties, including from the Packington Nook Residents' Association - with 47 in support of the proposal and 19 raising objections.

The proposals which include new sport pitches and a larger parking area at Ashby Ivanhoe - which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The new pitches would include:

• Two five a side pitches suitable for under 7s and under 8s

• One seven a side pitch suitable for Under 9s, 10s and 11s

• One nine a side pitch for Under 11s – 14s

The site to the rear of the club's bar and changing area will extend the club's current home which is based to the south of Ashby.

A council officer's report sets out issues which support the plans including:

• Current parking issues affecting residents will be resolved from the extra parking

• Youth teams play during different times so traffic would be spread out

• Parking will be controlled and monitored, reducing potential accidents

Ashby Ivanhoe plan to expand their current site

• Proposal will allow players to play from home and enable parents and spectators' opportunities to watch them

• Town is expanding rapidly, there is a need to accommodate this with appropriate provision

• Club provides exercise for 400 children

• Increased demand for football facilities from new houses, new clubs and the increased popularity of the sport especially from girls

• Current place used for home games has no facilities

• Club is inclusive, has a development school for children who have previously struggled to get into teams

• Club has had a positive impact on many young lives encouraging confidence and teamwork

• Club at present turning children away due to lack of facilities

• Children struggling to find teams in the area due to a lack of facilities

• Need to encourage children to participate in sport safely locally

• Keeps kids off the streets and causing trouble

• Club plays a part in building long standing friendships Economic benefits for the town

• The development is an improvement over houses on the site

• Benefits to children need to be taken onboard over political games.

But it also highlights some of the objections made to the plans and says the project brings:

• Parking concerns

• Congestion/traffic issues

• Existing highways issues would be worsened

• Pedestrian safety risks

• Area is countryside, development is not appropriate in this location

• Impact of the proposal on the landscape

• Noise impacts and existing concerns raised to the Council and club have gone unheard

• Residents are already negatively affected by events held at the club especially in the summer months

• Visitors to the club have no regard for residents, they block drives, litter are noisy and have been threatening

The site of Ashby Ivanhoe's plans for more pitches and facilities. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

• Anti-social behaviour concerns

• Previous applications at the site refused at appeal

• Club should utilise existing pitches elsewhere

However, the officer's report rejects refusing the application on noise grounds.

The report says: "The NWLDC Environmental Protection Team were consulted on the application who concluded no objection to the proposal. Advising the proposed use would not negatively impact on its environment by way of noise, light, odour or other disturbance.

"As such a refusal of planning permission on such grounds could not be substantiated.

"Antisocial behaviour is a matter for the Police to resolve should it happen.

"It is noted throughout the course of the application that both concerns and support was raised regarding the ongoing parking issues and the proposals to alleviate the issues with the club having already trialled additional parking to the site which supporters have advised have been a success.

"The County Highways Authority was consulted on the application and concluded the parking proposal would be acceptable, as such a refusal of planning permission on parking grounds could not be substantiated. The parking would be secured by way of a condition.

"The CHA is satisfied the proposal would not result in risks to pedestrian safety and appropriate visibility splays can be achieved.

"The visibility splays would be secured by way of a condition."

The report concludes by saying: "The principle of the development is acceptable. Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposal is not considered to have any significant detrimental design, residential amenity, flooding, ecology or highway safety impacts and would not adversely impact the River Mease SAC.

"There are no other relevant material planning considerations that indicate planning permission should not be granted."

Full details of the project have been given in a Planning, Design and Access Statement, compiled by KC Planning & Development.

It reads: "The development would provide enhanced facilities for the football club and much-needed parking provision resolving problematic on-street parking nearby.

"The development is immediately adjacent to an existing facility and would enable growth and investment in this popular community sports and social hub.

"A key objective of planning is to assist in the delivery of high quality sports facilities that are available to the whole community and engender healthy active lifestyles.

"This proposal meets these fundamental aims, supporting the positive wellbeing of the existing and growing population of Ashby and surrounding area.

"There would be minimal physical development on the site, this would be restricted to a post and rail fence between the pitch and parking, and the gravelling of the new car park.

"The additional space will not only allow the club to operate from one site, but also avoids over-use and degradation of the pitches through rotation of use and having designated training and match pitches."