The eco-town would be located on the edge of Leicester

The Co-op wants to build the eco-town near Leicester but locals believe it would overwhelm existing services.

Some fear it may get direct government planning approval under a national scheme and thus bypass local scrutiny.

But the Co-op said it was holding a private briefing this week for concerned councillors and MPs.

The government wants to build 10 carbon-neutral, self-contained soc-alled eco-towns around the country.

The Co-op and English Partnerships are bidding to create about 20,000 homes along with services on land between Houghton on the Hill, Oadby and Great Glen.

Harborough council leader Graham Hart said: "Normally they come into the district council and our officers deal with it and we as local politicians are brought into the loop and the public are.