HUNDREDS of people opposed to a 1,200-home development on green-belt land are expected to pack the start of a public inquiry.

Rushcliffe Borough Council refused planning permission for the scheme at near Sharphill Wood south of Edwalton in July.

An inquiry is due to be begin at West Bridgford Community Hall on February 10 after applicants David Wilson Homes, Bovis Homes and Brian Wells appealed against the decision.

Malcolm Baker, chairman of the Rushcliffe Residents' Association, said he expected hundreds of people to turn up to show the "strength of feeling" against the plans.

"We will be vigorously fighting it on the grounds of the landscape and the fact it is green-belt land, and on the traffic problems it will create," he said.

"I'm hoping we will get at least 400 people. I have sent out 2,000 leaflets asking people to come, and when you consider how many people we got at the council meeting two years ago it is not an unreasonable expectation.

"We also had a 3,500-name petition two years ago and one of our members organised a new petition with more than 2,000 names but when we realised we couldn't present it we stopped trying to get more names. There is a substantial local feeling of anger."

As well as 1,200 homes, the proposed development includes a primary school, a business innovation centre, a further education centre, a 100-bed hotel, shops, a community building and health centre, sports facilities and community park.

"It will double the size of Edwalton and ruin the traffic situation," said Mr Baker

He added that he believed the applicants' claims the scheme would provide much-needed affordable housing did not stand up.

"It is probably the most expensive and attractive piece of real estate in the whole of the south of the city, so how they are going to achieve affordable houses I just don't know; and no one can give a definition of what is affordable," he said.

David Wilson Homes declined to comment ahead of the inquiry.

Erin McDaid, spokesman for Notts Wildlife Trust, said: "Whilst the trust recognises the need for a supply of affordable homes, it is determined to ensure the impact of new housing on wildlife is minimised.

"Any housing development around Sharphill will have an impact on the wood itself and the surrounding area and the trust has objected to the application because we believe it would lead to a long-term loss of habitat value within Sharphill Wood site of importance for nature conservation (SINC) and proposed local nature reserve.

"The SINC includes areas of legally-protected and priority habitats and species and is also highly valued by the local community."

jon.robinson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk