Ashby's Conservation Area has been split into three to reflect the historical development of the town.

This week's North West Leicestershire District Council Cabinet meeting voted unanimously to do so after the first review of the area in 23 years.

A Conservation Area is designed to protect the character and appearance of places that are of special architectural or historic interest.

For this purpose, Ashby will now be divided into Castle, Town and Spa areas.

Cllr Tony Saffell told Tuesday's meeting that the move had the backing of the Ashby Civic Society.

He said: "The Ashby de la Zouch Conservation Area, designated in 1972 and last reviewed in 2001, is proposed to be divided into Castle, Spa and Town to reflect different developmental and historical contexts.

"For instance, the Town Conservation Area would reflect the extent of the town circa 1815 to 1821, but the Spa area would not because it was developed in the 1820s

"A draft character appraisal and boundary review has been revised following a period of public consultation, which took place in February and March this year.

"The revised documents reflect the substantial responses received from the Town Council's Planning Committee, Ashby Civic Society, and from the regional branch of Historic England.

"I'm pleased to say that the Ashby Civic Society has expressed its support for the proposed subdivision of the conservation area."

Cllr Saffell added that the divisions will play a part when it comes to considering planning applications in the town centre and immediate areas.

He added: "The revised documents would provide the basis for making informal and substantial decisions about the future of the conservation area.

"This includes decisions about applications for planning."