A scheme for 64 'luxury lodges' is being planned close to the long-proposed new marina development on the Ashby Canal at Measham.

A site in Gallows Lane has been identified for the buildings and an application has been made to North West Leicestershire District Council by Mrs Vicki Garland, from Ratcliffe Culey, near Atherstone.

The application is for a change of use from the current agricultural land to a development of more than six hectares in size.

The marina scheme has been in limbo due to uncertainty over the route the HS2 railway would take if the north eastern route towards Nottingham is completed.

However, it is understood that while the marina has not been allocated, the wharf development closer to the centre of Measham has been.

But a planning statement issued with the application claims there is already strong support for the development.

In the original application, 122 lodges were planned, but new documents explain that number has been 'significantly reduced' to 64 units 'to create a higher quality site with a lower density and enhanced green space and tree provision'.

A planning statement submitted with the application says: "The proposed development is located to the east of the canal improvement area, where a proposed marina is located immediately adjacent to the site.

"The site is bordered on all sides, except to the south, by agricultural land. 

"Immediately to the south sits the Measham Lodge Business Park.

"There is a small access point between the business park and the site. 

"In the south east corner of the site is a small area of woodland along Gallows Lane. 

"Further to the south, on the eastern edge of Measham, is the Measham Brickworks which consists of Duckery Clay Quarry and the brickworks itself.

"An area immediately to the north west of the site has been identified by North West Leicestershire Council for the development of a new marina as part of phase 3 of the proposed restoration of Ashby Canal between and Snarestone and Measham. 

"This restoration details the reinstatement of the canal between Illot Wharf and Measham Marina and includes the development of a new marina immediately to the West of the proposed site."

The statement makes it clear that the new site would be within the National Forest which, according to the document, supports the plans.

It adds: "The site will be accessed via a new access to the south west of the site, off Gallows Lane. 

"The position of this access will ensure the entrance to the site is via a tree lined street. A secondary, gated emergency access is proposed further to the north.

"To create an attractive site, it is proposed that swathes of additional woodland is planted along the southern and eastern boundaries. 

"This will screen the site from the existing Business Park to the south, and the road to the east.

"Support for the proposed development has been obtained from the National Forest, whereby they have visited the site, and provided a robust and positive response to the proposal. 

"To evidence this, Natural Land, in association with the National Forest, produced a comprehensive report detailing the increasing demand for the scheme in the local area, and details of opportunities for different ways to develop the site. 

"Whilst the report provides examples of development opportunities that range from luxury lodges, to larger more permanent structures, this application requests a change of use from agricultural to leisure, for the provision of lodges that fall into the definition of a caravan. 

"The report provides overwhelming support that the site has the capability and capacity to provide a leisure site that will not only serve a growing demand, but also offer exceptional sustainability credentials."