Domino's Pizza has confirmed it is wants to open a takeaway store in Market Street after submitting a planning application to North West Leicestershire District Council.

As expected, the fast food chain plans to use the site previously occupied by Santander Bank which closed its offices last July.

The planning application has been made via the agent acting on behalf of Domino's, the Pegasus Group - under the applicant's name of Sodha Enterprises Limited.

It is suggested the outlet will be open Monday to Sunday / Bank Holiday from 11:00am-11:00pm.

Only last week, Domino's remained cagey about their plans for moving into Market Street when asked by Ashby Nub News.

But, last August, the company was already dropping hints about coming to the town centre site.

A Heritage Report included in the application says Pegasus took advice from North West Leicestershire District Council last September.

The response, a month later, reads: "24 Market Street is a grade II listed building in the Ashby conservation area.

"Jones (2011) Illustrated history of Market Street says that the building was the Malt Shovel Pub until the 1860s.

"The ground floor was last used as a bank.

"The use of 24, Market Street as a hot food takeaway would imply the introduction of illuminated signage.

"In the context of a modern shop front the Conservation Officer considers that we may be able to agree a form of illumination that would comply.

"The use of the building as a hot food takeaway would imply the introduction of measures to protect the occupiers of the upper floors from noise and smells.

"I expect that there is scope to incorporate noise insulation within a false ceiling above the ground floor.

"Historic England has expressed a "strong preference" for the repair of windows and the addition of secondary glazing - because 'the use of double glazing can lead to a loss of historic fabric'.

"The use of the building as a hot food takeaway would imply the installation of an extract flue or vent.

"Historic England warns that new services can harm significance "if added thoughtlessly".

"Hence Historic England encourages "careful routing and finishing" and "materials appropriate to the relevant period".

A design and access statement presented as part of the scheme, urges the granting of planning permission 'for the reasons set out in this statement'.

The National Planning Policy Framework says that 'when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset's conservation'.

The report also states that 'where development proposals will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal including, where appropriate, securing its optimum viable use.'

And the report backs up its application by saying: "Given the premises are a long term vacant unit, the proposals would introduce a viable use to Market Street."