The row over the controversial Pennbury eco-town has dominated politics in Leicestershire for more than a year.

Now political parties hope that the electorate agree with their views on the issue and vote for them in the county council elections on June 4.

Thousands of people have marched and signed petitions opposing the 15,000-home project, making it a key issue for people living close to the site near Oadby.

The ruling Conservatives at County Hall have cut off all dealings with developer Co-op and the Government because they say they disagree so vehemently with the plan.

They are also considering legal action to recoup the £500,000 of taxpayers' money they have spent studying the project.

Liberal Democrats have also been heavily involved in protesting against Pennbury, but they say unlike the Conservatives they are the only ones to totally oppose eco-towns, not just this one.

Leicestershire County Council's Labour group, whose Government hatched the predominantly unpopular competition, are also opposed to Pennbury, but not eco-towns in general.

County Conservative councillor Kevin Feltham has led the campaign for his party on the issue, as it is partially in his division. He said: "This is one of the major issues of public policy Leicestershire has faced in over a generation.

"The eco-town experiment has also laid bare the inability of elected local decision-makers to influence the final decision.

"We have had promises of extensive consultation before any final decision will be taken. The normal planning process has been bypassed, with Labour ministers laying down policy by diktat in the ultimate expression of top-down decision-making.

"The Conservatives have pledged to stop the Co-op eco-town. We will oppose this and other large, inappropriate developments which don't allow local people and planning bodies the final say."

Liberal Democrat leader councillor Simon Galton's division is also affected by the proposal and he has led his party's campaign against Pennbury.

He said: "Liberal Democrats were the only party to pass a motion at their last conference opposing the development of free-standing eco-towns.

"Unlike the Conservatives, we are not in favour of relocating Pennbury because we feel that the inherent flaws in the proposal mean it should not simply be enforced on another community.

"The Liberal Democrats have consistently raised our concerns about the proposed eco-town. We feel that the proposal is a work of fantasy that is unsustainable in the long-term and would have a massive and detrimental impact on local transport, regeneration and the environment in the immediate area."

Labour leader councillor Matthew O'Callaghan says his group also rules out Pennbury as an option but adds that eco-towns should not be written off altogether

He said: "Labour is broadly in favour of the principles behind eco-towns. In the right place and with the appropriate infrastructure, they could be a sustainable solution to the housing shortage, particularly affordable housing. Regarding Pennbury, we supported the establishment of an independent scrutiny panel to advise the county council on the Pennbury scheme as presented.

"We are concerned that the project will place considerable pressure, both short term and long term, on services provided by the county council including schools and highways."

For more information on the county council elections and its candidates visit www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/elections2009.