A multi-million pound scheme to build 2,500 homes, community facilities, employment units and a school on the outskirts of Barwell has been approved.
Scores of residents who opposed the development filled the public gallery at the meeting in Hinckley last night.
But after a three and a half hour debate, councillors approved the
the project, which includes £1million improvements for Barwell village centre.
Protest leader Huw Williams said: "We are absolutely disgusted by the decision. The overwhelming majority of people in Barwell do not want this."
He said he would be consulting other residents to see if they would mount a legal challenge to the decision.
He said: "The councillors have gone against their own planning policy by deciding this application before an area action plan has been completed. The nine Liberal Democrats voted in favour and the six Conservatives voted against"
Planning officers told members of the Hinckley and Bosworth council planning committee last night that although the area action plan had not been approved and a large amount of open country side would be lost it "is justified by the positive contribution that the scheme will make to the regeneration of Barwell and the borough more generally."
More than half of the 320-acre site will devoted to housing while the rest will feature a mix of landscaping, playing fields, an employment area, community facilities and a primary school.
More than 330 people had written to object to the project as have neighbouring parish councils.
The plans were submitted last year by a consortium comprising Ainscough Strategic Land, Barwood Development Securities and Taylor Wimpey.
Previously a consortium spokesman said: "This is an exciting opportunity to deliver the new homes the borough needs, accompanied by a comprehensive package of investment that will transform the village for years to come.
