Planning chiefs have approved an application to convert public road space into private residential land- despite the site being used as a bus stop.

Villagers and Foston Parish Council have opposed the move from Pauline Feilding-Martin to change the use of 89m2 of tarmac and flower beds in front of The Black Horse Cottages, Main Street, Foston.

The site is a strip of tarmac highways land in the village of Foston, located on the eastern side of Main Street and just south of the junction with Long Street.

Ms Feilding-Martin, who lives nearby at The Ranch, Main Street, previously gained planning approval to do do likewise in 2016, but that consent has expired.

A report prepared by planning staff at South Kesteven District Council says Foston Parish Council opposes the change of use as school buses use it to pick up and drop-off children.

The site is a 'prominent feature' in the villages, used by other residents, so a change of use is contrary to the Foston Neighbourhood Plan.

Resident Emma Kitchener of Wilkinson Road opposed the application for the same reason, adding other buses used the site too, and an alternative bus stop should be found before approval was granted.

A council report added villagers were concerned that removing the site from public use would cause road safety issues and the site, which includes a bench, had been used as public space for generations.

But the change of use was for a small area, so would not harm the character of the village, and would still allow people to wait for buses or rest at the bench on the front. The change of use "would be more likely to improve the character and appearance of the area."

Recommending approval, the report concluded: "The proposal would allow for a visual enhancement of the site and leave sufficient space for the location to remain functional as a bus stop and meeting place."