A decision on plans to build a 1,000-home village could be delayed until the end of the year.

Harborough District Council wants to draw up a development masterplan for the land on the north west edge of Market Harborough.

The project by William Davis involves building on a 140-acre site and would include a school, community centre, shops, allotments, playing fields, a marina and country park.

A planning application for the village, to be built on the former Airfield Farm, next to the Airfield Business Park and near to Gartree Prison, bordered by the Grand Union Canal, was submitted a year ago.

Although the council has earmarked the area as a potential site for housing, the development is opposed by residents of nearby Foxton, Great Bowden and the Market Harborough Civic Society.

Now, the council wants to develop a plan so it can exercise stronger controls on housing in the area, which also includes a smaller 132-home application for land off Lubenham Hill.

District councillor Sara Hill, who has major concerns on the traffic impact of both developments, has welcomed the masterplan proposal.

She said: "The development, should it go ahead, should be carried out with clear guidelines over the form it takes and the extent of community facilities to be provided. Where possible, people should be encouraged to shop in the new village.

"The masterplan will assess the potential traffic impact in the area.

"The need for detailed plans to protect the surrounding areas will also need to be considered as will the issues involving the Linden Homes application to build 132 homes on the southern edge of the area."

Council planning policy manager Stephen Pointer has drafted a report to be discussed by the council executive on Monday.

He said it would examine access to and from the site and traffic movements. It would also deal with "major landscape and design matters."

He said landowners and development companies and other interested parties would be invited to join a working group to design the masterplan, which would go out for consultation in September and be adopted by the end of the year.

William Davis has said: "Overall, the site would be built upon a commitment to high-quality, sustainable urban design, creating a lively and safe place to live."

A company spokesman said it was prepared to help fund traffic improvements around the site and in the town centre encouraging people to cycle or walk and use public transport.

A decision on the Linden Homes scheme, which is opposed by residents, could also be delayed by the development of the masterplan.

Agent for Linden Homes Peter Wilkinson said existing planning documents supported the development of the site, off Lubenham Hill.

He said: "Our site, along with the Airfield Farm scheme, remains inside the limit of development. Our scheme remains below the ridge level on the edge of Market Harborough and will not be seen from the west."