Opponents to a planned housing development in a Rutland village fear the scheme will harm wildlife, including great crested newts.

They also say the scheme relies on an access road that would be too narrow.

Planning Agent Melvyn Evans of Stamford-based Ross Thain architects seeks to build five homes on land at the back of 11 Main Street, Cottesmore.

The 8820m2 site is currently disused.

The application to Rutland County Council says the homes would be built in local stone and designed to fit in with the surroundings. They would be served by heat pumps and feature underfloor heating.

However, nearby residents John and Elizabeth Field say the proposed site, which has been the subject of repeated applications, is a 'safe haven' for wildlife.

The access road is too narrow and the development would impact too greatly on neighbouring properties, they added.