Plans for a new commercial nursery in Donisthorpe have been rejected by North West Leicestershire District Council.

Mr Gary Dytham, of 1, Moira Road, submitted the scheme for approval in May along with Tamworth-based company Midlands Extension Plans Ltd.

But a number of concerns - including the safety of road users - meant the application was thrown out.

The plans showed that the nursery would have operated from an outbuilding to the rear of the building.

But council planners decided not to give the green light for a number of reasons.

Locally, Oakthorpe & Donisthorpe Parish Council raised the following issues:

• Highway safety

• Itis a residential area not an employment zone based on the local plan

• Concerns of a negative impact of surrounding neighbours

• Queries over the suggested use of the Moira Road Car Park as this is a private car park owned by residents not a public one

• Safety concerns of young children crossing this road from the suggested parking

Nearby residents raised the following concerns:

• Highways issues

• Increase in noise levels

• Residential amenity impacts

• Child safety concerns

A council officer's report reads: "The application proposes the erection of a detached two-storey outbuilding which would have use as a commercial nursery.

"Whilst the host dwelling enjoys a sizeable rear garden the substantial scale and height of the proposal would result in an overly large development resulting in a significant built presence within an otherwise open and expansive area to the rear of the site.

It is likely to result in significant harm to the living conditions of the occupants of the neighbouring dwellings, in respect of increased noise levels and general disturbance

"Whilst views of the proposal would be limited from public vantage points, it would appear as a prominent and obtrusive built form in views from several of the surrounding properties and garden areas. It is also considered that the scale of the building would be discordant with the existing character of the area given that the footprint is significantly greater than those of traditional garden buildings.

"On the basis of the above the provision of a building in this location and scale would not integrate into the environment in which it is set.

"The site is within a heavily residential area and during the course of the application, a number of concerns have been raised by neighbouring properties relating to noise and other neighbour amenity concerns.

"The nursery would operate Monday to Fridays with opening hours of 7.30am until 6pm and would have two full-time employees.

"It is considered the proposal would result in markedly intensifying levels of activity compared to that which can be expected from the garden of a regular dwelling house.

"The comings and goings would also be considerable which could include visits by private car and taxi and the delivery of goods in association with the proposed nursery.

"The concentrated area for activity to the rear of the site, in close proximity to the neighbouring dwellings private amenity space is likely to result in significant harm to the living conditions of the occupants of the neighbouring dwellings, in respect of increased noise levels and general disturbance."

The officer also expressed concerns regarding road safety and writes: "The applicant has failed to demonstrate parking provision, vehicular and pedestrian visibility spays and that an appropriate and safe vehicular access could be provided to the proposed development.

"If permitted, the development could consequently result in an unacceptable form of development and could lead to dangers for users of the highway.

"The proposal therefore is not in the interest of highway safety."