Plans to expand a holiday home site near Ashby could get the go-ahead next month.

A scheme for 10 new holiday units - and the part-conversion of an agricultural building to a wedding and function venue - has been proposed for Hill Farm at Willesley Woodside.

Hill Farm is already home to the Hastings Retreat holiday homes next to the Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre, and applicants John and Dawn Jacques now want to add more facilities.

But the scheme will go before North West District Council's planning committee on September 3, after being 'called in' by councillors Mike Ball, representing Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe, and David Bigby, ward member for Ashby Willesley.

Their objections include the unsuitably of the location for a wedding venue, causing noise and traffic problems.

This means the application will now be debated by councillors - with a recommendation from District Council officers to permit the plans.

The agenda for the meeting says: "Cllr Ball is the neighbouring ward councillor, and he has called in the application as it is his opinion that whilst the proposed holiday units would be acceptable, the location of the wedding venue is unsuitable, given the number of vehicular movements connected with such a use and the inadequacy of the highway network to accommodate further vehicular movements. 

The site plan shows the scheme would be split into three zones. Image: North West Leicestershire Distrcit Council

"The noise generated by the wedding venue would also result in detriment to residential amenity in his ward given the hours of use, the location of the building on a hill, and that there is no limitation on the number of events which could be held."

The agenda adds: "Cllr Bigby is the ward councillor for the area and he has called in the application as it is his opinion that the proposal will result in an unacceptable increase in traffic on the narrow roads around the site (Willesley Lane and Willesley Wood Side), with Willesley Lane being a dangerous and winding road and the main route to the site from the A42, there being no pedestrian or safe cycle provision on either highway despite them being the main route to Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre, and vehicles travelling in excess of the speed limit which would be exacerbated by the proposal. 

"It is also outlined that the proposal would result in unacceptable noise and disturbance to residential properties given the tranquil and quiet setting of the site within the National Forest, and that planning conditions would be unlikely to restrict the noise from events which are scheduled to occur until the early hours. 

"There is also the possible contamination of a natural water supply to Wood Farm which is sourced close to, and piped across, the application site."

A Design and Access Statement from Andrew Large surveyors accompanied the application in March and says the existing holiday business, which was established in 2013 and up and running by 2020, has proved to be 'extremely successful' despite the Covid pandemic.

The statement adds: "The current site is on 76 acres with a sizeable lake to the south eastern section and has a wind turbine which generates more than enough electricity to power the facility, with excess sold back into the grid. 

"The 10 new holiday units will be designed to reflect the woodland character of the National Forest.'

Image: North West Leicestershire District Council

But it also says that, with its potential effect on neighbouring and surrounding properties, the venue has been purposefully designed with the social rooms towards the southern elevation, directly away from the closest neighbours. 

The venue, and any function which it may be used for, will most likely operate between the hours of 12:00 – 01:00, says the statement.

Adjacent to the southern section of the site is small cluster of residential properties on the outskirts of Donisthorpe, with the report adding the closest dwelling has been measured approximately 550m away from the venue. 

The statement adds: "This is a sufficient distance which means that the impact of noise will be minimal. 

"Directly between the venue and dwellings is an existing woodland belt which stretches to 80m in width. The existing woodlands will ensure that the site is sufficiently screened for the noise expected to be generated by any aspect of the proposal.

"Any venue that provides weddings will also have to be granted a license by the council, which will restrict all times for drinks, music, and the period in which the event must conclude. These restrictions are specifically in place to limit the impact of venues alike on surrounding neighbours."