About 2,500 jobs could be created and 250 homes built under plans for a new business park near Glenfield.

However, the multi-million-pound scheme, called Glenfield Park, has sparked concern among residents.

People are unhappy it would be built on what is now 25 hectares of greenbelt land and say the village will not be able to cope with the extra people.

Developer Wilson Bowden argues the business park – next to homes off Elm Tree Avenue, Glenfield, and alongside Western Park golf course – will bring jobs to the district.

David Ward, planning director for Wilson Bowden, said: "There is now a clear need to provide for the future and to offer new job prospects for the area's population.

"The Glenfield Park proposal includes:
A business park with a mix of offices and warehouses.
Up to 250 homes.
A "village centre" with play area and allotments.
Re-routing the village bus service to the site, as well as cycle routes and some shops

Residents living nearby the site said they were concerned about traffic. Gordon Locke, of Foresters Close, said: "I hope they plan to improve the roads around here because they will struggle to cope with that many people.

"It looks like a huge development. Will there be new schools, doctors surgeries and things like that?"

Rachel Harby, 34, of Elm Tree Avenue, said: "The 2,500 new jobs is a concern, because that's a lot of people driving to and from the area at rush hour.

"I'm not happy with this being built on my doorstep."

One woman, of Saddlers Close, said: "If there are 250 homes then there will probably be about 500 cars on the roads all of a sudden. It would be dangerous.

"Vic Morris, 71, of Forge Close, Glenfield, which overlooks the proposed development, has lived in his house for about 30 years. He said: "It's an infringement into the greenbelt area and it will destroy the rural landscape. All the developers are interested in is money – thousands of people will come into the village and use its facilities.

"It also means they will be using a narrow and twisting road into the village, adding more traffic."

A spokesman for Glenfield Parish Council said councillors had met Wilson Bowden, but it could not comment yet on the plans.

The Government has told Blaby District Council to build 7,600 houses in the district and find 25 hectares for use by businesses by 2026. Its preferred option is a 20-hectare estate of factories and offices to be built south of the M69, near the Warrens, in Enderby.

But Wilson Bowden says the Enderby site is the wrong choice because it has poor access routes.

Mr Ward added: "We have put it to Blaby District Council that perhaps it needs to think again, from our perspective the current option does not fulfil its needs.

"I know it's not going to be popular but we have done all we can to ease the burden on the area by including funding to libraries and education in Glenfield."

Mr Ward said the development would cost "many millions". Residents argue the areas suggested for allotments and play area flood regularly and should not be built on.