Residents are to fight plans to build up to 275 homes on farmland near their homes.
Villagers are to object to plans by Bloor Homes and a local farmer to build on a 17-hectacre site off the A47 Uppingham Road, in Bushby.
The proposals for the development, which include a 40 percent "affordable housing provision", were unveiled at a public exhibition at Wadkins Sports Centre, Bushby, on Thursday and at Thurnby Memorial Hall yesterday.
The plan is to develop farmland on the north-eastern edge of Thurnby and Bushby, to the east of Wadkins Way and Devenports Hill, and to the north of the disused railway line.
Resident Phil Pickering, who lives in Devenports Hill, Bushby, has started a petition against the plans.
The 43-year-old, who lives with his partner and three children, said: "This will be right on our doorstep.
"A planning application was put in on this site two years ago for 150 homes and was turned down by Harborough District Council.
"The objections then were that it is in the countryside and there is not the infrastructure in place to cope with the influx of extra people. As far as we are concerned nothing has changed at all.
"This is site that should not be spoiled by a development like this."
His partner Sarah Norton, 45, said: "We know there is shortage of homes but there are more appropriate sites than this."
startled
Tony Bott, of Goddard Close, said he was surprised by the scale of the development.
The 57-year-old said: "To be honest I am startled by the number of homes being proposed and the sheer size of the site. There is no way they should let this through in the form it is. The area could not cope with another development on this scale."
Resident Stewart Murray, of Wadkins Way, said he and his wife Susan would be objecting to the plans.
The 63-year-old said: "One of the major issues is that the proposed number of homes means that up to 500 cars will be trying to get on to and off the already very busy A47.
"There are many brownfield sites in and around Leicester better suited for a development such as this."
Susan, 57, said: "I am worried. All things considered this is totally inappropriate for here."
However, Malcolm and Shirley Taylor, of Winkadale Close, which is across the road from the proposed development, said they were pleased to see the plans.
Malcolm, 77, said: "We used to live in Devenports Hill and are looking to move back.
"We are pleased to see this and want to know more as we might buy a house and move back."
A Bloor Homes spokesman said: "Feedback from this consultation event will be used to inform the preparation of an outline planning application.
"This will seek to establish the principle of residential development on this location and, if successful, would be followed by a detailed design and a further application."
The Leicester Mercury was unable to reach the farmer for comment.
