Protestors have called Leicester's planned city expansion "horrific" with large crowds voicing opposition to the highly controversial move.

More than 150 residents as well as Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Reform UK and Green Party councillors gathered outside Leicestershire County Council headquarters in Glenfield on Thursday (August 6) to oppose plans to expand Leicester's border into areas of the county.

Towns and villages including Oadby, Wigston, Syston, Enderby, Great Glen, Braunstone Town, Blaby and Anstey are set to be included in the new 'Leicester Council', which is expected to come into force in April 2028.

Under the new plan, all existing councils will be abolished, and two new councils will be formed – one serving an expanded city and another serving the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Sheila and Tony Sowler, 82 and 84, currently live in the village of Willoughby Waterleys which would be among those included in the expanded Leicester.

They said: "We're a small village, and we're not part of the city. There are fields, and we don't consider ourselves as part of them.

"When we heard about it, we thought it was horrific. I don't know why they [the Government] think we belong in a place like Leicester. We don't feel like we should belong there and others don't either".

Conservative MPs, including Dr Luke Evans, Alberto Costa, Peter Bedford and Edward Argar, also appeared to protest against the plans and urged the Government to "think again".

Dr Luke Evans told the LDRS that residents and politicians "didn't want the Leicester City landgrab".

He added: "We're going to be expected to take more houses, where are our services going to come from, and are we going to get the financial backing that we need in our area?

"These are the big questions that the Government haven't answered. I'm concerned my residents might see their council tax go up or not receive those local services that we've had all along".

Leicestershire County Council also met in an emergency session an hour after the protest, following a motion put forward by the Liberal Democrats to condemn the Government's plans.

During the meeting, Lib Dem council leader Michael Mullaney called the proposals an "outrage".

He added: "They have ignored the 88 per cent of Leicestershire residents in the consultation who oppose city expansion.

"This meeting is an opportunity for this council to have its say on the Government's proposals … and to send a message to Leicester mayor Mr Soulsby, a message to the Government and it's a message that's very simple: get your hands off Leicestershire's towns and villages.

Councillors from other parties also said they agreed with the motion with Reform UK council leader Dan Harrison calling it a "nightmare".

He added: "I strongly oppose any expansion to the city. It's been my position from day one.

"I do not think the Secretary of State made the right decision. The city boundary expansion has caused the greatest concerns among our residents, communities and businesses.

"This council voted to oppose any expansion to the boundaries of Leicester City. The city expansion decision made by the Secretary of State is heavily centred on city growth and economics, and the benefits that expansion could bring to the city of Leicester.

"It gave no thought to residents, businesses and communities. It was just heartless".

Green Party Cllr Naomi Bottomley also told the council there was a "complete lack of democracy".

She added: "It is just frankly insulting to ask people's opinion, get an overwhelming response and turn around and go 'We're going to do what we fancy anyway'."

"I feel so angry for all the residents that took their time to engage. The strength of feeling is so strong, and it has been ignored".

Labour councillor Jewel Miah told the meeting that the Government's choice was "always a possibility" and that any potential legal challenge by the council could cost "hundreds of thousands".

He added: "The proposals do not increase the boundary of the city of Leicester, not by an inch. The city keeps its existing footprint. What is changing is the administrative area of a new council. The city stays as it is and the new council will just deliver services in a larger area.

"Let me turn to the legal opinion. I was told, along with other group leaders, that legal opinion will potentially be brought back to the council potentially next week.

"A legal challenge will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and numerous hours of our senior officers' time. In all honesty, the administration knows that the chances of legally challenging this decision are slim".

The motion was carried with 45 voting in favour and one against.