Residents campaigning to try and stop thousands of houses being built in Hatton say the local councils have ignored the "overwhelming weight of evidence" as they press forward with the plans.

The village has emerged as the frontrunner as a potential 'new settlement' in Warwick district in the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) as the two local authorities behind the major planning document discuss its next steps tonight (May 28).

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils will today decide on the details for the final public consultation on the draft of the plan - the so-called 'regulation 19' version.

The developer pushing for Hatton to be included in the plan has said it is "excited" by the news.

But members of Keep Hatton Station Rural (KHSR) said it is an "inexplicable decision" to shortlist the village.

"Great swathes of green belt in rural South Warwickshire is to be concreted over due to the imposition of 5,250 houses - a town half the size of Kenilworth," a statement to Nub News said.

"The proposed Hatton Station 'new town' simply could never serve such a huge influx of houses, people and vehicles.

"The size of this town and the traffic that it would generate would bring the whole of this part of South Warwickshire to a complete standstill."

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The SWLP has shortlisted 14 'strategic growth' locations where new houses are set to be built around existing local towns.

This has come after hundreds of potential development sites were suggested by members of the public and then whittled down by the councils.

The possible new settlement in Hatton would see 4,000 new homes due to be built before 2050, followed by 1,250 after that date.

That is less than the 8,000 homes that had been included in previous council documents relating to a new community in Hatton.

Meanwhile in Stratford district, Long Marston Airfield has been earmarked for another new settlement, with 4,500 homes planned for before 2050, and 5,700 for after.

Land promoter and developer Turley - working on behalf of the Hill Group - has welcomed Hatton's inclusion in the draft version of the plan.

It told Nub News: "We're really excited to see Hatton Villages in the Regulation 19 version of the SWLP.

"We strongly believe that existing, underutilised train stations like Hatton, are the right place to focus new homes and economic growth for young people and families who want to live sustainably in the district but otherwise can't afford to.

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"We understand why any proposed development of this scale prompts concern, and we take those views seriously.

"This is why we're working closely with Network Rail, National Highways, Warwickshire officers and other key stakeholders to ensure Hatton's development is planned in phases to ensure both new and existing places work and flow at every stage of the new villages' development, making best use of this strategic location at the centre of the country's transport network."

The upcoming consultation - the 'regulation 19' consultation - will run for six weeks and will allow locals to have their say on the plan the authorities intend to submit to the planning inspectorate for final approval.

The SWLP will ultimately determine where tens of thousands of homes are built in the south of the county.

Following the final consultation the plan will be sent to the secretary of state for approval.