A new town could be created on the edge of East Midlands Airport - and less than 10 miles from Ashby.

As part of its local plan review, North West Leicestershire District Council is asking local people whether they would support a new town or village to the south west of East Midlands Airport.

A Local Plan, which sets out a strategy for providing the homes, jobs and infrastructure needed in the district, must be reviewed every five years. The current plan runs until 2031.

In it, a huge 316-acre swathe of land, currently made up of two farms, 'numerous different fields' and 'mature hedgerows and trees', could become a development of up to 4,740 houses.

With the UK average household containing 2.4 people according to the Office for National Statistics, this could mean the new settlement might be second only to Coalville and Ashby in the district in population terms when built.

It would dwarf the neighbouring village of Isley Walton, and make the new town potentially home to more people than currently live in Castle Donington, Ibstock, Measham or Kegworth.

Part of the development would also be used for employment, likely formed of a mix of shops and eateries, offices, storage or distribution centres and community meeting and leisure facilities.

The plans also suggest a primary school would be included in the development.

According to council documents, the owner of the land 'has indicated support for the development of the site'.

Any development would be required to go through the planning process first, and if approved would be expected to take 11 to 20 years before it is fully complete.

A comprehensive ecological survey would also be expected to be carried out, including surveys on badger, water vole and great crested newt populations.

This site is just one of those being considered for development to help the council meet their own housing targets and the unmet housing need from Leicester city.

Other parishes earmarked for four figure totals of homes include Belton, which could have 7,347 homes allocated, largely butting up to neighbouring town of Shepshed in Charnwood, as well as Coalville (5,426 homes), Ashby (4,112), Castle Donington (2,709), Whitwick (2,483), Ibstock (1,641), Appleby Magna (1,465) and Ravenstone (1,379).

The council has estimated, in the worst case, it will need to build up to 13,870 homes by 2031 to keep up with housing need. It is currently projected to fall short of that by 5,086 homes.

Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, Portfolio Holder for Planning at the council, said: "The Local Plan guides how the council supports the district to grow in a sustainable manner that is suitable for the people who live and work here.

"To grow in the best way, we need the right infrastructure, the right employment opportunities and the right number of homes available, and it's important that local people have a say in how these things take shape."

Residents are also being asked to give their opinions on how the council can ensure that new developments contribute towards making the district zero carbon and towards improving the health and wellbeing of residents?

The local plan consultation will run until Monday, February 28.