North West Leicestershire District Council says that Ashby's new G-Park warehousing complex was given the go-ahead to 'give a real economic boost' to the area as it emerges from the coronavirus crisis.

The development is set to be built to the east of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, on the A511 near to the A42 junction, and it is forecast to be bringing 1,000 new jobs to North West Leicestershire.

But the scheme was fiercely opposed by Ashby de la Zouch Town Council and Ashby Civic Society among others.

The 68-acre development off Corkscrew Lane, was approved by North West Leicestershire District Council's Planning Committee on Wednesday.

It will also include ancillary offices, service yards, HGV parking and security facilities as well as internal roads along with pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

The majority of the site, which until 2004 was a Coal Lounge, Coal Preparation and Disposal Point and is now disused, falls inside the district's Local Plan which identifies the site as suitable for employment provision.

The developer behind the application, Gazeley, expects the site to create between 880 and 990 full-time jobs as well as up to 510 more positions indirectly. They will also contribute £750,000 to upgrade nearby roads.

Representations against the application included concerns about the size and scale of the building, traffic and the impact on air quality.

Councillor Nigel Smith, Chair of NWLDC's Planning Committee, said: "This was a difficult decision for the committee but on balance the opportunity to bring new jobs to North West Leicestershire on land already earmarked for employment provision proved decisive.

"The last nine months have been very difficult nationally, but this development offers a real economic boost for our district and new jobs for local people in the coming years of recovery from Covid-19."