Plans to build a works site next door to an Ashby hotel and restaurant have been rejected by North West Leicestershire councillors.

The road related storage, maintenance, management facility and associated site works at Lountside, close to the A42 junction, had already been given outline planning permission - and councillors were recommended to give the unit development the go-ahead at Tuesday night's meeting.

But Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, Ashby Civic Society and Whitbread, owners of the Brewers Fayre restaurant had raised objections to the next stage of the process, known as reserved matters.

District Council planning committee members raised a number of concerns about the development after it was 'called in' by Ashby councillor Dan Harrison to be debated.

Cllr Harrison had been particularly vocal about the scheme at town council level, saying it would 'kill off' the Premier Inn site which is currently the only hotel serving Ashby.

But his views were echoed by another Ashby councillor, David Bigby, and district councillor John Le Grys who admitted 'confusion' over the application.

Cllr LeGrys said there was not enough information provided to the committee, while Cllr Bigby questioned what the development would actually be used for.

Initial indications were that it would be used as a service depot working with the already existing Esso filling station and others across the Midlands.

But it was also suggested that the Asda store that is now part of the petrol station might also make use of the works - making it a storage warehouse for consumer goods and not part of the listed use presented to the committee.

The extra traffic - namely large HGVs - created by the new site, was also mentioned as a concern as it would be mixing with customers at the takeaway food outlets as well the hotel and restautant.

Ashby Civic Society's objections centred around:

• Insufficient reports / details submitted to justify approval of the reserved matters application and the Environment Agency objects to the application on the basis of insufficient information being submitted

• Details of the conditions recommended in the report should be available for members to scrutinise

A member of the public addressed councillors to voice his objections, saying the plan would be a 'hideous, aircraft hangar' in the middle of a 'pleasant retail park'.

He also said there would be '30 juggernauts an hour', according to plans, creating counterflow with cars using the area, pointing out that families use Lountside's current facilities.

It was also pointed out there was no risk assessment to address this.

He also said there was a risk of pollution connected with the River Mease and added: "There will be a cesspit needed, where do you suggest that goes? Next to McDonald's? Next to Kentucky Fried Chicken? Or next to the hotel?"

Cllr Ray Morris added: "This is quite an attractive service area, I find it concerning that the building would be over 10 metres high and is overbearing, it's filling up an open area and it's quite intrusive as an architectural feature."

Cllr Bigby added: "There was no consideration on the effects of the hotel or its residents.

"We still don't have anything from the applicant in connection with this. That's a major concern.

"The operation would be 24 hours, but we have no information about how many lorry movements there'd be during the night time and the effects on residents of the hotel.

"A motorway services area isn't there to provide warehousing."

Cllr Legys added: "We're caught between the operator of the hotel saying 'You'll end up in court' and the applicant.

"I'm confused, there'd be no point in deferring it, that's be a waste of time."

"But I thank Cllr Harrison for calling this in, it's unfortunate that it wasn't in the first place."

A vote to refuse the application was carried by seven votes to two, with two absentions.