The broiler chicken farm would be on the edge of Burton Lazars, near Melton, reports This is Leicestershire.

Burton and Dalby Parish Council, which represents the village, said the development would "adversely affect the whole community."

In an open letter to Rutland and Melton MP Alan Duncan, parish council chairman Gerald Digby said: "The application, if approved, would potentially devastate the wellbeing of all residents bordering and west of the A606."

The parish council said the site – a disused 10-acre poultry farm between Sandy Lane, Melton – would be in line with the prevailing wind, with some homes just 250 metres away.

Mr Digby said: "The site is immediately adjacent on two sides to our nationally important Scheduled Ancient Monument, the medieval leper hospital. The village hall is 500 metres east of the site, directly in line with the prevailing wind.

"The impact of this development will be significant, should it go ahead. The impact on the residents, not just of Burton Lazars, but also of Melton, which is 800 metres away, is the crucial thing.

"The plan also demands two separate three-bed bungalows in an established unsustainable location.

"Chicken manure is horrendous stuff. There are health risks, with a third of a million chickens, the air from the sheds will be vented into the atmosphere at the highest point west of the village which the prevailing winds will pick and spread across the whole village."