Plans for 3,500 new houses near Leicester

A decision on an application to build 3,500 new houses on the outskirts of Leicester is expected to be made next month.

The Ashton Green development, located between Beaumont Leys and Birstall, is planned by Leicester City Council to help cope with the region's expanding population.

The new housing project is part of a larger scheme to deliver over 20,000 new homes in Leicester over the next 20 years.

Ashton Green would be a residential-led mixed-use development, including a mix of new houses, shops, a new school, and office space.

If proposals for the new homes are approved, the first new houses would be completed by 2013. The entire development could take up to 20 years to complete.

However, the proposed project has come under criticism from Leicestershire County Council's cabinet due to fears that the plans have not been "thought through".

The county council fears that nearby roads and schools will not be able to cope with extra people moving into the area.

Byron Rhodes, cabinet member for planning, said: "Building 3,000 new houses on the cit city border will create all sorts of problems for county residents that the city council hasn't thought through.

"It's unfair to expect Leicestershire Council taxpayers to put up with the extra pressure on roads, schools and waste sites that could result from this scheme."

A city council spokesman said: "This application is still in process and the views of the county council, and all other representations, will be taken into consideration."