Last month Rugby borough planners received a retrospective application for a complex of five adjoining tents at the Woodhouse Hotel, in Leamington Road. To the anger of many villagers, its new owner has hatched an ambitious plan for an entertainment venue.

"Major name" acts are promised and planning documents refer to "the likes of" Ricky Hatton, The Drifters, Stylistics, Tom O'Connor, Sir Alex Ferguson and Alexander O'Neal. A concert featuring a version of The Supremes ran last month.

The tented venue could be open as late at 3am on Sunday morning, if proposals are passed, and the marquees would be permanently in place for an initial five-year period. In all 150 car parking spaces would be built.

Prav Pattni, who purchased the loss-making hotel for £2.3million in April, says he will spend a further £1.5million modernising the site and create 14 full-time and 54 part-time jobs with the venture.

His representatives say the local economy and anyone who enjoys a good night out will benefit.

But the borough has received 21 letters of objection since the plans were lodged - some time after work began.

Princethorpe parish council clerk Brian Yeates said there was considerable opposition to Mr Pattni's plans.

He said: "There were about 50 people at the meeting when this was discussed and most were against what they are trying to do.

"The consensus was that this was not suitable for a rural environment and that the noise would be considerable."

Burnthurst Lane resident Diane Whitehouse said noise from the Supremes concert had been "horrendous".

She was concerned about increased traffic on the narrow lanes and noise pollution.

She said: "These are businessmen and that's about it. They just want to make money and have no understanding of the countryside or consideration for the local community."

"The application is so wide it feels like they are trying to slip a nightclub into rural Warwickshire - there's a complete lack of empathy," added neighbour Bill Lilly. Peter Hall, who frequently travels past the site said: "I have been astounded by what appear to be two very large snow white aircraft hangar-style erections, which attract the eye from miles away.

"They create an outrageous visual disturbance on the wonderful green landscape.

"How on earth did they get permission?"

HB Architects, the firm behind the marquees project has stressed it will plant trees to screen the tents.

Neither the new owner nor the hotel's manager was available for comment on the plans this week.

A date has yet to be set by the borough council to discuss the application.