Corby is the biggest European town without a train station

Catalyst Corby said that in 1999 there were only 18 new houses built in the town and in 2003 there were 342.

The latest draft of the Government's regional development strategy states that plans for a rail service are "not under active consideration".

However, the strategy states that the need will be reassessed as Corby grows.

Bob Lane, the Chief Executive of Catalyst Corby, said: "The strategy endorses our plans to double the population and build an additional 16,800 new homes by 2021."

New business

MP for Corby Phil Hope said that he is favour of a rail station.

"I hope it could be in place by 2013, I wouldn't say it would be definite as it depends on the regeneration of Corby," he said.

"The Strategic Rail Authority are committed to building one providing the area can develop and attract new business."

A recent SRA study demonstrated a viable business case for the introduction of a rail service to Corby between 2010 and 2015.

Corby is one of the biggest towns in Europe without a rail service.

Catalyst Corby is a public-private sector company launched in January 2003 to regenerate the town.