A bus company's plans to run a regular service through the new Money Hill estate have been rejected by the Local Highway Authority - as it was only planned for three years.

The Diamond Bus company wants to operate a regular bus service through the development.

Formerly known as Midland Classic, the company aims to use the current No9 service from Queen's Hospital in Burton to East Midlands Airport and East Midlands Gateway.

Developers Taylor Wimpey and Bloor Homes applied to North West Leicestershire District Council for permission to provide bus stops along the new Money Hill road.

But they were faced with objections from the LHA who said the service must run for a minimum of five years - not three.

It also said the developers must fund the service over that time period, and make a bus pass contribution of £500,000.

The developers wanted to see how well the service is used - in terms of passengers and bus pass sales - before deciding on a long-term decision.

But the LHA says it wants to encourage new residents to use the bus instead of private cars - and wants five years.

The developers have now made a fresh application to North West Leicestershire District Council - but admit the LHA objection came as a 'total surprise'.

Chave Planning, the agent for the developers, has asked the council to 'critically review' the situation as the first houses will be occupied in April.

The bus company had negotiated a three-year deal, with the service designed to be 'self-sustaining' after that as there will be 'hundreds of houses' on the estate.

The route would see buses leave Ashby and turn off at the Nottingham Road entrance before exiting at the A511 bypass - and vice versa.

A provisional timetable shows buses running throughout the day Monday to Saturday - and on Sundays.

The route would then take in East Midlands Airport & Gateway, Melbourne, Money Hill, Ashby de la Zouch, Woodville, Swadlincote, Newhall, Winshill, Burton, Queen's Hospital.

Diamond Bus says the timetable subject to change and based upon the current service.

It adds there are ongoing discussions around an East Midlands Airport extension, with the proposal aimed at giving an indication of what the route would look like with all things being the same.