Barwell West plan for 2,500 homes submitted
A planning application has been submitted which, if approved, will almost double the size of a Leicestershire village.
A consortium of developers wants to build 2,500 homes, along with a school, shops and commercial buildings, west of Barwell.
They claim it will create 1,000 jobs and inject £250m into the economy.
But opponents, who have gathered a 500-signature petition, fear it will swamp existing facilities.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council allocated the land for development as part of its housing strategy in 2009.
It said the application would be dealt with in due course.
The proposals are being put forward by developers Ainscough Strategic Land and Barwood Development Securities and house builders Taylor Wimpey.