A prominent local councillor's application for three new homes to be built on land at Drum and Monkey Lane in Packington is set to be given the go ahead.

Ashby-based Nick Rushton - leader of Leicestershire County Council and a North West Leicestershire District councillor - wants to see the detached homes, with double garages, built in the village.

The application is due to be discussed at next Wednesday's district council planning committee meeting.

North West Leicestershire District Council says the plan will be on the agenda as Cllr Rushton is the landowner.

Cllr Nick Rushton is the applicant for the scheme. Photo: Leicestershire County Council

But the scheme has met with opposition from Packington Parish Council, which has objected to the proposal, at the unadopted road, for a number of reasons, and refers to a previous planning application at that site.

The Parish Council said: "Packington Parish Council urges North West Leicestershire District Council not to grant this planning application due to the many issues it will create for the village of Packington.

"Since the previous planning application was submitted, flooding is a significant issue in Packington, and we have seen an increase in the depth and the destruction it has caused year.

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"The land may lie within a low flood risk area; however, the reality is that is does flood and has impacted many houses in the area by flooding, not only the roads but properties on Spring Lane, Drum and Monkey Lane, Normanton Road and down to Mill Street and Babelake Street.

Image: NWLDC

"The Parish Council also has great concern for road and pedestrian safety if this application was to be granted. The exit to Drum and Monkey Lane is onto Coleorton Lane, a fast bend with vehicles leaving a 60mph zone and entering a 30mph zone. Vehicles are slow to reduce their speed which has warranted the installation of a vehicle-activated speed sign.

"North West Leicestershire District previously rejected a planning application to build three dwellings on land opposite the Drum and Monkey Lane junction due to access and road safety issues. The same safety concerns should be applied to this application."

Packington Council also has concerns over visibility at the junction, and driver and pedestrian safety.

Image: NWLDC

It adds: "The development fails as it doesn't consider the needs of those users with disabilities using Drum and Monkey Lane. It fails on creating a safe place that minimises the scope for conflict between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

"NWLDC have previously rejected planning applications on Spring Lane, which is considerably wider than Drum and Monkey Lane, due to conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles."

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The parish council also said: "There is simply not the adequate space for the majority of large vehicles that would need to visit the proposed site to deliver goods to turn at the end of the land.

Image: NWLDC

"There is also likely to be a right-of-way issue if this development was granted. Packington Parish Council urges you to refuse this application."

But district council officers have recommended that the application is permitted at next week's meeting.

In the agenda for next week's meeting, it says the existing access onto the lane would be closed and a new access would be formed at the western end of the northern boundary, serving all three dwellings. 

A new pedestrian access to serve plot three would also be formed at the eastern end of the northern boundary. 

A turning area is proposed close to the southern boundary. Following officer and consultee comments, amended plans and information have been submitted to address matters.