A £1 BILLION development including more than 2,750 homes and a giant business park could be given the go ahead this week.

Plans for the major new development from Major US real estate firm Liberty Property Trust have received the backing of council officers.

Residents and local councils are opposed to the plans because of concerns about massive urban sprawl and the loss of countryside dividing Horsham and Crawley.

An outline planning application is to be discussed by Horsham District Council planning committee on Friday for up to 2,750 homes, a business park creating up to 4,000 jobs with shops, community and leisure facilities and two primary schools.

A new Parkway Station to serve the new neighbourhood between Littlehaven and Faygate stations and a cemetery are also planned.

Members have been advised to delegate approval to the council’s planning director in consultation with the planning committee chair and vice-chair.

The plans have been amended since initial submission in August to exclude private homes on the eastern side of the site and an ancient woodland to the north west.

But among the objectors are the Woodland Trust who have raised concerns about the loss and damage to six copses and woods while council ecologists have warned of the impact on great crested newts, bats and dormice.

Warnham, Colgate, Forest, Denne and Rusper parish and neighbourhood councils have also objected on the grounds the scheme fails to meet the council’s affordable housing target and offers insufficient sustainable transport and infrastructure.

They also state that development on the green strategic gap with Crawley is “unwelcome”.

More than 81 objections from residents have been raised over additional pressure on surrounding roads, increased traffic noise and air pollution levels and the loss of countryside to increasing urban sprawl.

Gatwick Airport is opposed to wind turbines and large solar installations at the site and also raised concerns about proposed ponds which could increase the risk of bird strike.

Andrew Blevins, Liberty managing director, said the plans made sure the new community would be well connected with Horsham and said the development would be essential to the future prosperity of the district in providing homes, jobs and customers for shops and town centre businesses.

He added: “We know that infrastructure is a key issue for local people and we’re absolutely committed to putting this in place at the right time so we don’t increase the burden on existing facilities.

“The Planning Inspector described North of Horsham as ‘one of the most sustainable locations’ and with these improvements, we’ll make it even more accessible and successful.”