Controversial scheme to develop 30 acres of land in Great Glen has been withdrawn - hours before it was due to be discussed at tonight's (Tuesday's) planning meeting.

The under-fire blueprint was withdrawn just hours before it was due to go before Harborough council tonight (Tue).

The application was a joint project by Leicester Grammar School and Homes England, the government’s housing, land and regeneration agency.

At the heart of the controversial initiative was a 60-bedroom Extra Care facility, 32 bungalows and new sports facilities for the school.

Council planning officers were recommending the deeply-divisive plan for land off Chestnut Drive was turned down at tonight’s planning committee.

They warned it would have an adverse impact on the rolling local countryside and heritage sites and be cut off from the rest of Great Glen.

The proposed development had sparked uproar in the village with 225 furious villagers writing to the council to oppose it.

Harborough council tweeted this afternoon: “Tonight’s (19 Nov 2019) #Harborough District Council planning committee meeting is CANCELLED as the sole application to be considered proposing development adjacent to Leicester Grammar School, Great Glen, has been withdrawn by the applicants. Tonight’s (19 Nov 2019) #Harborough District Council planning committee meeting is CANCELLED as the sole application to be considered proposing development adjacent to Leicester Grammar School, Great Glen, has been withdrawn by the applicants.”