A new tram service could link travellers with East Midlands Airport under plans for a big property scheme.
The suggestion is included in an £800m proposition described as "one of the largest housing and employment developments" in the region.
The Fairham development involves 3,000 homes being built to form a vast new neighbourhood just a few miles to the north-east of the airport, south of Nottingham.
Known as Clifton Pastures, the scheme will be brought forward in phases over a 10 to 15-year period and could involve an extension of the neighbouring city's tram network.
Outline permission has been passed for one million square feet of employment space, a primary school, community and sports facilities, a neighbourhood centre and more than 200 acres of green space across the 606-acre site.
That permission allows a development to go-ahead 'in principle', ahead of more detailed plans being drawn up.
Developers have recently submitted a number of reserved matters planning applications to Rushcliffe Borough Council to do with the drainage and landscaping associated with the project.
The main contractor, Winvic Construction Ltd, has been appointed for the first phase of infrastructure work – and groundworks and exploratory work have been ongoing at the site since September.
Work in the pipeline includes the conclusion of the first phase of groundworks and the continuing preparation of the residential plots.
This work will continue into 2021 when the first housing plots will come forward and the new roads and other infrastructure will begin to take shape.
A spokesman for Fairham, representing partners involved in the project, added: "This new neighbourhood for Nottingham is due to bring 3,000 new homes, 2,000 new jobs and new community amenities to the area, including a new school, medical centre and sports and leisure space in a highly sustainable and green environment.
"Fairham is a long-term investment being made by Derbyshire-based Clowes Developments in partnership with Homes England, the Government's housing accelerator.
"It will be an exemplary mixed-use scheme of regional importance to the whole East Midlands.
"The project includes a protected new route for a future NET tram extension towards East Midlands Airport, although the details of this will be subject to NET and its partners bringing forward their own plans in the future.
"The involvement of Homes England helps to ensure there will be a broad mix of housing types, including hundreds of affordable homes, with the first new homes beginning construction in 2021.
"With £100 million of new infrastructure across the site, there will be miles of cycle and footpaths as well as 50 acres of wildlife space and 33 acres of new sports pitches for the local community.
"All this on top of further, dedicated green spaces throughout the development. The scheme will also provide new employment opportunities as well as assisting Rushcliffe Borough Council in meeting its new homes target of 13,500 dwellings by 2030.
"Any large scheme takes time to come forward but we are also working with the local community through our Fairham Forum to ensure communication is forthcoming, local voices are heard and issues dealt with as we progress."
