The Rugby Gateway project will be revealed for the first time this week at a two-day public consultation.

Although the full plans will not be known until the start of the consultation, the Rugby Advertiser has been told by developers that the extension to Rugby would be built on open land to the north of the town - immediately west of the Leicester Road and adjacent to Coton Park.

Back in 2008, we first revealed the initial plans for the Gateway site. And this week, developers have unveiled more details.

It will house up to 1,300 new homes, a primary school and a local centre providing community and retail facilities for the development. Open space features prominently in the proposals, which will retain and enhance the canal corridor to the west and woodland areas within the site.

Playing fields, allotments and children's play areas are also proposed alongside the residential and community facilities.

Employment development would be built to the north of the site, adjacent to the junction with the M6, and will provide approximately 131,000 square metres of general industrial, storage and distribution accommodation.

Cllr. Neil Campbell, portfolio holder for the economy at Rugby Borough Council, said: "We're expecting the planning application to be with us by the end of March and, assuming it gets planning permission, work could start at any time within the next 18 months. I think the development is an important part of Rugby's future growth and as part of the development, there will be improvements to Leicester Road which will hopefully improve the traffic flow."

The new development will meet the needs of Rugby Borough Council's policy objective to provide more housing and employment in the town.

The developers - the Gateway Consortium - consisting of JS Bloor, CALA Homes and Renew Holdings, will be explaining its proposals for the site at the consultation and is looking to get the views of local people.

The public exhibition will held at the Brownsover Community Information Centre tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. It will be open from 12 to 4pm on Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.