A petition has been set up to try to prevent 1,500 houses being built in the Birstall area.
As part of Charnwood Borough Council's draft local plan, there is a proposal for 1,500 houses to be built on two large fields next to Bentley Roses, in Birstall.
Councillor Simon Sansome, a Liberal Democrat for Birstall Wanlip ward has set up a petition opposing it.
He said: "The Conservative run borough council has proposed a 1,500 home development next to Bentley Roses.
"We have to stop this development as Birstall will then almost be connected with Rothley and another green field area of separation would have disappeared - putting Birstall's identity at risk.
"Action needs to be taken sooner rather than later to protect Birstall from further development.
"We need to protect what we have in the village and stop this overdevelopment."
He added that the schools in Birstall would not be able to cope if the proposal to build 1500 houses went ahead.
"A few months ago I sat in front of Leicestershire County Council education panel with a petition for a school in Hallam Fields. The panel stated that come 2015 there would not be enough primary school places in Birstall, so adding 1,500 houses is not going to help the situation.
"Another concern is the traffic."
He said it could take a number of residents on the Greengate estate in Birstall between 20-30 minutes to get from their driveway to the main A6 road during rush hour.
"Again, 1,500 houses will bring at least 1,500 more cars, adding to our already congested traffic in the village."
Tom Scott, 27, a resident of Birstall, said he was against the proposal. "It will take away the gap between us and Rothley.
"I have a 12 week old baby that will be going to school in a few years. I don't want this to affect his education."
He added that the new houses would also destroy the close knit community.
"It will also increase commuting times for work and school round and everything else. It is not a good idea."
A Charnwood Borough Council spokesperson said: "This site is a proposed area for development that the council has identified following many years of research and is contained within our draft local plan.
"The draft local plan is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate."
Coun Sansome has set up a petition online on the change.org website.
Residents can also sign a paper petition at local shops and pubs in Birstall: The White Horse, Age Concern, The Posy Bowl, Loros, Birstall Fisheries, Dans Gents Hairdressers, Birstall Post office, Silly Prices, Peter Astill & Co Solicitors and The Plough.