Plans submitted by Ashby-based councillor Nick Rushton to build three new homes in Packington have been given the green light - despite local concerns over flooding.

Cllr 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 was discussed at Wednesday's North West Leicestershire District Council planning committee meeting. The plan will be on the agenda as Cllr Rushton is the landowner.

Ashby-based councillor Nick Rushton. Photo: Leicestershire County Council

Eleven neighbour objections to the scheme were made while Packington Parish Council also made it clear it was against any building work at that site.

Victoria Webster, representing the Parish Council, told the committee: "Packington Parish Council urges the District Council not to grant this planning application due to the many issues it will create for the village.

"Since the previous planning application was submitted, flooding is a significant issue in Packington, and we've seen an increase in the depth and destruction it has caused year on year, which will only increase due to climate change becoming more damaging to the village. 

"Land at the bottom of Drum and Monkey Lane relies on the brook to drain the surrounding area surface water runoff, including runoff from the proposed development land. 

"However, with increased rainfall, the brook often becomes overwhelmed and breaks its banks, as you have seen from the photographs we submitted, the surrounding fields are often waterlogged with significant surface water. 

"The ditches in the area that run into Spring Lane and the adjacent new development has caused flooding. The land may lie within a low flood risk area, but the reality is that it does flood and has impacted many houses in the area.

The proposed development would be on Drum and Monkey Lane in Packington. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

"The parish council also have great concerns for road and pedestrian safety is if this application was to be granted, the exit to Drum and Monkey lane is on a fast bend with vehicles leaving a 60 mile an hour zone entering a 30 mile an hour zone. 

"Vehicles are slow to reduce their speed, which has warranted the installation of a vehicle-activated speed sign. 

"This section of road is listed in the Leicestershire road safety partnership as a community concern site. There is also a concern with visibility at the junction of Drum and Monkey Lane, parked cars from dog walkers and hikers accessing the public footpath are a particular issue. There will regularly be over 10 cars parked here, and there have been two accidents at this junction in the last year. 

"The increase in traffic to and from the proposed development will increase the likelihood of further accidents and safety generally."

But the committee voted eight to one to permit the application, with only Cllr John Legrys against it.