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Plans for a major extension to a Leicestershire business park which could bring more than 500 jobs have been tipped for approval

Barwood Development Securities is hoping to secure permission to extend Sketchley Meadows Business Park by developing land off Sketchley Lane, in Burbage.

And as well as new commercial space, the plans also involve building 140 homes.

According to the planning application, the extension would bring an additional 322,920 sq ft of space, creating an estimated 524 jobs.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's planning committee is due to make decision on the proposals when it meets on Tuesday.

And a report prepared by the authority’s planning department ahead of that meeting, recommends that the scheme be approved.

The report states: "Subject to conditions, the proposal would not have any significant adverse impacts on residential amenity, vehicular or pedestrian safety, ecology, archaeology, drainage and air quality and noise.

"The scheme would provide economic benefits in the form of an extension to an existing category 'A' employment site, where there is an identified short term need to meet the market, and due to the size and scale of the proposed development the applicant as demonstrated there are no other suitable alternative sites.

"The additional houses and affordable housing have significant weight in the planning balance as they would assist in addressing the current shortfall of housing and affordable housing in the area, as well addressing an identified need for small to mid-sized industrial units in this location and would contribute to economic growth and job creation."

In the original planning documents, submitted by The Environmental Dimension Partnership, on behalf of Barwood, it said: “The site is highly sustainable and exceptionally well located to offer access to existing jobs, services and facilities - including health, education, shops, leisure and open space.

“Connectivity onto the A5 via Sketchley Meadows Business Park presents a great opportunity to extend the strategic employment area.

“The development would be an attractive place to live and work, integrated sensitively into the new south-western edge of the town.

“Set within a generous and attractive network of landscaped open spaces, the design retains the existing green infrastructure wherever possible, and builds upon this with new hedgerow, tree and woodland planting.