A public hearing will be held Thursday on a controversial plan to build an equestrian-oriented community near Millarville, southwest of Calgary.

Kevin Mullen wants to build about 85 homes and a place for the residents to keep and ride their horses on 250 hectares off Highway 22.

The community would be called Saddle Springs.

The homes would be on parcels ranging from about 0.8 to 2.4 hectares each.

Mullen said the project will limit the human footprint on the land and at the same time embrace the rural lifestyle.

"There's actually more land that will be common area and riparian zone, which is an environmental zone of the property, than there is actually land owned by the homeowners," he said.

Frances Dover, who lives nearby, said she has her doubts about Saddle Springs.

Despite the developer's assurances to the contrary, Dover told CBC News she and her neighbours have worries about water supply, wildlife and access.

More importantly, said Dover, if this development goes ahead, others will surely follow.

"Nature can't withstand it, water can't withstand it, agriculture can't withstand it," she said.

Dover and others want the Municipal District of Foothills to put a plan in place that would put controls on any new development along Highway 22 between Priddis and Millarville.