Work could soon start on the construction of 2,000 homes to the south of Coalville.

Developers want to create a new community they are calling Hugglescote Grange.

Though the huge scheme was given outline planning permission at the end of 2014, the final go-ahead has just been approved for the demolition of existing buildings, including a farm, on the 76 acre site south of Grange Road, Hugglescote.

Agents are now seeking to sell of parcels of land, near the River Sense, to housebuilders who will construct the new homes.

They say Hugglescote Grange will have its own village centre to serve the 5,000 people who will eventually live there as it is built over the next 15 years.

Nearby parish councils in Hugglescote and Donington-le-Heath have raised concerns about the scheme, proposed by Harworth Group, particularly over the extra traffic it would generate on nearby roads that are already busy, but North West Leicestershire District Council has permitted it.

The scheme will ultimately see shops and offices created, along with a primary school, a medical centre, a day nursery and a pub, and tree planting to fit in with the surrounding National Forest.

What's happening in politics?

The first parcels of land on the site have been put up for sale by property consultants Fisher German and Mather Jamie.

Luke Brafield, associate director at Fisher German, said Hugglescote Grange offered housebuilders the chance acquire land in a desirable area.

He said: “We have worked successfully with Harworth Group on two previous developments, in Derbyshire, so we’re very pleased to be working with them once again.

“This is a really exciting site in a key part of the East Midlands, so we anticipate a lot of interest from housebuilders.”

Harworth Group Midlands director David Cockroft said: “This is a major step forward for Harworth Group, marking the commencement of our first, key, large-scale residential development in the Midlands.

“We’ve spent the past 12 months effectively preparing land for housebuilders within the bounds of the site’s planning consent and I look forward to seeing significant interest in the scheme.”

Gary Owens, associate director at Mather Jamie, said: “This really is an excellent opportunity for housebuilders, given the site’s proximity to the M1 motorway, making it easy for residents to get to Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham.

“East Midlands Airport is also close by, being just 30 minutes away by car.

“We expect strong interest from a range of housebuilders over forthcoming weeks.”