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Almost 1,600 people have raised concerns about plans for a 440-acre industrial park and rail freight terminal on land near their homes.

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa wrote to 11,000 constituents for their views on the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (NRFI), proposed for land between the Hinckley to Leicester railway line and the M69 motorway.

The Tory MP said almost 2,000 people replied, with around four in every five raising objections.

Developer DB Symmetry is behind the plans which could create some 8,400 jobs,

A 14-warehouse industrial estate – including a 1.5 million sq ft warehouse – would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Hinckley scheme is still at the pre-application stage with an application potentially going in next spring.

Mr Costa said he would now raise the concerns of residents in the House of Commons.

He said: “I am incredibly pleased with the excellent response to my survey on the proposals for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI), these plans will no doubt have a significant impact on the local area should they be given the go ahead.

“And I am delighted that almost 2,000 constituents took the time to complete their survey.

“I will be writing to all respondents later this week to inform them of the survey results and to let them know how I will be taking this matter forward.

“Almost 80 per cent of constituents stated they were opposed to the rail hub plans - this clearly underlines the strength of feeling residents have to what would be a particularly large development.

“Respondents were also clear that the development would detrimentally affect many of the identities of the Fosse villages, and they also outlined their concerns about the potential environmental impact, especially with the proximity of the lovely Burbage Common.

“I will continue working closely with the brilliant local councillors for the area to oppose these plans, and fully intend to raise my constituents’ concerns in Parliament in order to ensure that their views and opinions are being heard at the very highest levels.”

Blaby District Councillor Sheila Scott represents some of the villages close to the scheme.

She said: “The results of the survey showed that a majority of people have grave doubts about the proposal and have concerns about the impact that the proposals will have on the local infrastructure and environment.

“It is good to see that Alberto Costa MP will be writing to the relevant Secretary of State to express the concerns that the residents have had over the proposals, given that it is the Planning Inspector that decides on any application submitted, not Blaby District Council.”

DB Symmetry wants to use the railway line because of its significance on a national freight route between Felixstowe and Nuneaton.

The business said it was also well placed in the national rail network to provide direct links to and from major cargo terminals at Southampton, Liverpool and the Humber estuary.