Plans to build over 680 new homes in North West Leicestershire every year until 2040 are to be put to the district's residents.

Other proposals in North West Leicestershire District Council's draft local plan include a brand-new settlement of 4,500 homes at Isley Woodhouse, near East Midlands Airport, and a focus on employment land around Coalville, Ashby de la Zouch, Castle Donington and East Midlands Airport and Mercia Park near Appleby Magna - as well 686 houses per year to be built.

Residents will have their say on where homes and businesses will be built in the district over the next decade after councillors voted to launch a consultation.

The District Council's Local Plan Committee voted last night (Wednesday) to move its draft Local Plan to the next stage and start a consultation next month.

This sets out where homes and businesses should be developed, areas of the district that should be protected, planning policies developers must follow and how far towns and villages can expand.

The council says planners have been working with landowners, developers and councillors to understand what land is available to sustainably meet the needs of a growing population.

The existing Local Plan was adopted in 2017 and partially reviewed in 2021, after updated housing need figures were produced for Leicestershire. The plan covers the period until 2031. Sites allocated in the Local Plan are not given planning permission, but planning applications for these sites are looked upon more favourably when being considered.

The consultation will be open to anyone with an interest in the future development of the district and will run from February 5 to March 17.

Local drop-in sessions for communities featuring heavily in the draft plan will also be held at:

• Kegworth Village Hall: Monday 5 February, 3pm to 7pm
• Diseworth Heritage Centre: Tuesday 6 February, 3pm to 7pm
• Castle Donington Community Hub: Wednesday 7 February 4pm to 7.30pm
• New Life Church, Coalville: Monday 12 February, 3pm to 7pm
• Measham Leisure Centre: Wednesday 14 February, 3pm to 7pm
• Ibstock College: Thursday 15 February, 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Further details of the consultation and how to take part will be published soon.

Read the papers and watch the Local Plan Committee meeting online.

Councillor Keith Merrie, Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure at NWLDC said: "Our draft Local Plan provides the blueprint for how our district will respond to an increasing population until 2040, so it's important we understand what residents, businesses and stakeholders think of those plans.

"The plan includes where we think housing should go, where employment land should be allocated and the policies and standards we expect developers to meet.

"Our consultation is a formal part of developing our plan, and really will help shape the future of the district so I would encourage everyone living and working here to take part when it launches next month, and to visit our drop-in sessions to learn more about how the plan will look in their area."