It is the largest village in Charnwood, with a population only marginally lower than the neighbouring town of Syston at the 2001 census.

To the north of the village, the A6 meets the A46 Leicester Western Bypass and then continues on towards Loughborough along the Soar Valley.

[5] Willard held these lands for Hugh and the 16 acres (65,000 m2) of meadow and a mill were said to be worth three ounces of gold.

The development will take ten years to complete, consisting of up to 900 properties including schools, shops, offices, industrial units and a fire station.

North of the development, on the roundabout connecting the A46 and A6 is a new service area with a KFC, a Shell petrol station and an Ibis Budget.

Note: Longslade Community College and Stonehill high school merged to become The Cedars Academy The main village areas of Wanlip Lane and Harrowgate Drive are served by Centrebus service 22A and First Leicester 22B while the A6 corridor is served by buses between Leicester and Loughborough operated byKincbbus Skylink and Arriva Midlands service 127.

The Birstall Park and Ride service is at the northern end of the village and is operated by Roberts Travel Group with buses into Leicester City Centre during the daytime.