A PLAN to build up to 800 homes in countryside is set to be opposed by the district council.

The Bloor Homes scheme to develop land north of Grange Road, between Coalville and Hugglescote, will be discussed by North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee on Monday.

A Government inspector will determine the application, submitted in November 2010, after the developer appealed against the council's failure to determine it in the required 13-week period.

The planning committee is being asked to advise the public inquiry – expected to be held in May – what its decision would have been had it considered the application in time.

The principle of homes on the site, which the developers call Bardon Grange, has been agreed by the council.

However, director of services Steve Bambrick, in a report to the committee, recommended refusal due to "unresolved access and transportation" issues highlighted by the county highways authority.

Among them is a lack of support for a proposed Bardon bypass. Hugglescote and Donington le Heath Parish Council said the homes would lead to traffic gridlock.

The council has also received 88 objections from the public.

Grange Road resident Wendy Robinson, 58, said: "We've fought similar plans to build on this land for years.

"The estate is too big and will create too much traffic."

The proposed plans include a primary school and parks, with land for a pub, nursery, community centre and offices.

No-one from Bloor Homes was available to comment.