The hostels at Medbourne Edge, off Hallaton Road, have “extensive marketing both locally and nationally”, according to documents submitted to the council and seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Objecting to the requirement that lodges cannot be occupied as a person’s “sole or principal place of residence”, Mr Hartley said a similar application was allowed in Devon.

He said home use of lodges would not have a greater impact than holiday use and that the current permit “does not impose any restrictions on the length of stay”, so anyone can stay there for an unlimited period of time as long as they have another main residence. .

The decision is expected to be made in early December.