New holiday lodges will be built on Leicestershire farmland after plans were unanimously approved by Blaby District Council, following support by planning experts at Marrons.

The eight one-bedroom and two two-bedroom timber-covered lodges – based in Oaklands, Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest West – will each have their own recreational area and parking space with an EV charging point.

They will be arranged in a semi-circle next to an existing pond and surrounded by around one hectare – just under one-and-a-half full-size football pitches – of farmland and open fields.

A driveway will be created off Peckleton Lane to allow access to the lodges and a separate entrance will be constructed for those walking and cycling, which will provide a link to the existing paths and cycle lanes.

Sachin Parmar, planning director at Marrons, who led the proposals, said: "We are thrilled plans have been unanimously approved by planning committee members for the creation of a new holiday and tourist destination in Leicestershire's countryside.

"The development is an excellent example of a sensible and sustainable approach to diversifying existing land-based rural activity. The ten lodges are designed to offer a glamping-style of accommodation, and aim to attract families, couples and small groups of people who are looking for a rural place to stay in the East Midlands."

The lodges have been designed to blend in with their rural countryside and landscape setting. Timber cladding will be used on the exterior and Grasscrete for all hard surfacing. There will also be enhanced landscaping and planting across the site and along existing field boundaries.

Sachin added: "The parcel of land chosen is contained into the western corner of the wider site and is bound by dense structural vegetation on all boundaries visible from the public domain. The site selection ensures the majority of the land remains in a traditional agricultural land-based use. From public vantage points, it will still be perceived as being used for traditional agricultural activities."