Plans to turn three Ashby town centre shop units - one containing a taxi firm - into new homes have been given the go-ahead.

North West Leicestershire District Council has granted permission for the sites in Brook Street to be redeveloped into housing.

Only one of the units is currently in use as a business - A1 Taxis - and the applicant, Mrs Claire Hatton from Hartshorne, wants to restore them to the residential use they were originally built for.

The change of use will affect the three properties opposite The Bowling Green pub at 9, 10, 10A and 20 Brook Street.

A district council officer's report says: "The principle of the development is acceptable.

"The proposal is not considered to have any significant detrimental design, heritage, residential amenity or highway impacts.

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

"The proposal is deemed to comply with the relevant policies in the adopted Local Plan and the Council's Good Design SPD.

"It is therefore recommended that the application be permitted."

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council had no objections to the scheme when it was presented to councillors lat year.

But there were some concerns over parking arrangements.

The Town Council said: "We recommend that residential designated parking is put in place as this is a highly congested area in the centre of the town."

But a Heritage Statement presented to the district council says this issue has since been addressed.

The officer's report adds: "The application seeks approval for the change of use of three existing units - a taxi office, a radio shop and a florist, to three residential units.

"Whilst the proposal would see the loss of three commercial units, it is noted that paragraph 86 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that 'residential development often plays an important role in ensuring the vitality of centres and encourages residential development on appropriate sites."