Leicester's major boundary expansion is to be given the green light by the government, but the leader of the county council has said he is "furious" with the decision.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned from sources close to the Government that the major expansion of Leicester's borders is to go ahead in a formal announcement made later today (Thursday, July 16).

Sources have confirmed that the city will be allowed to expand its boundaries into areas of Oadby, Wigston, Syston, Enderby, Great Glen, Braunstone Town, Blaby, Anstey and Glenfield – despite pushback from Leicestershire MPs and council leaders.

Leicestershire County Council previously expressed this year that it "strongly opposed" the city border expansion, claiming it would require "complex boundary changes, greater cost, longer timescales and higher service risks" – however, the expansion looks set to go ahead.

One senior source told the LDRS that they believed "riots would break out" with council leaders being briefed about the news earlier this morning.

The Government is expected to announce the news later today (July 16) in a statement at around 12.30pm.

This means that the city's population will almost double under the plans and provide space for additional homes.

It is also expected that the rest of Leicestershire will be governed by a single authority after all councils are abolished.

This will also mean smaller borough and district councils across Leicestershire are set to be abolished.

The leader of Leicestershire County Council Dan Harrison also said he was "furious, shocked and bitterly disappointed" by the news.

He said: "We've always been clear that an expanded city would be costly and disruptive. Financially and strategically, this is madness and it's not the right decision for Leicestershire.

"This is a disastrous day for democracy. No one wanted this. No professional oversight has been given to the effect on Leicestershire residents of the city's land grab and our residents haven't been listened to.

"We'll be taking legal advice on launching a challenge to Government to make sure residents are at the heart of the decision.

"Our professional officers will get on with the job. But this is reckless and we'll continue to fight for those residents who've been let down by the Government today."

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "While we cannot comment on the specifics ahead of the announcement, it is right that this overhauling of the outdated two-tier council system takes place. It will give residents a one stop shop for all their services, provide more accountability to voters, and save money which can then be channeled into frontline services like social care, SEND and roads.

"Labour politicians from across Leicestershire will work together with everyone to ensure whatever the outcome of the process we all focus on what matters most – delivering the best services possible for residents.

"At a time of heightened tensions in the political sphere, we would also urge politicians to consider their language and the impact it has."