North West Leicestershire District Council says a decision over revised plans to redevelop the Royal Hotel site in Ashby is 'too important to be rushed'.

A meeting of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's planning committee on Monday was given an update, by letter, on the progress of the application - which was resubmitted in January.

The District Council says it will take as long as it necessary to look at the scheme before putting it to its planning committee on a date yet to be decided.

The recent recommendation from Historic England that permission be refused will be taken into account.

But the district council made it clear it has no intention of cutting any corners when it comes to the future of the 200-year old Grade II* listed building which is owned by Oakland Hotels Ltd, who made an artist's impression of the proposed development public at the same time the fresh application was announced.

North West Leicestershire District Council says: "As you know, we have been working with the owners of the hotel to secure the future of the Grade II* listed building.

"With a planning application now submitted, we have started to receive responses from statutory consultees - the most recent being Historic England.

"As a key stakeholder in the town, we would like to reassure you that we are taking the time needed to fully consider every aspect of the planning application and the issues around it

"We are continuing to work with the applicant, as well as with consultees like historic England, on all the issues raised.

"We understand how frustrating it must be for local people that the process is taking a long time.

"You will appreciate that this is a complex issue, involving a landmark building on an incredibly important site within the town.

"And it is our duty to make sure we have completed all the due diligence so the planning committee members have all the information available to them when they come to make a decision on the Royal Hotel site.

"This work takes time, and might take a little longer than we would all like.

"But I think you'll agree – this is too important a site to rush any decisions."