Harborough district, with its 230 square miles of rolling countryside, is likely to see several close contests in the poll on May 5.
Plans to build hundreds of homes on the outskirts Market Harborough and Lutterworth will figure strongly in voters' minds.
Controversial issues such as the failed move of the council offices to the St Luke's hospital site, the closure of public toilets and the future of community hospitals will also feature.
The Conservatives swept to power in 2007, ousting a Liberal Democrat-led administration. At present, the council comprises 25 Conservatives and 12 Liberal Democrats.
But the Conservative Group has had three leaders during its term in office and three senior Tories – former leader Graham Hart and veterans Peter Fuchs and Geoff Hallam – are standing down.
Current council deputy chairman Mike Smith is standing as an independent after being de-selected by the Conservatives in Fleckney.
Two other well-known independents in Lutterworth – former town mayor Bill Piper and businessman Clive Weston – and may cause an upset.
All 25 wards are being contested except for that of current council leader Mike Rook, in rural Tilton.
In total, 78 candidates are standing, comprising 32 Conservative, 23 Liberal Democrat, 17 Labour, one UKIP and five independents.
Olly Jelley, 29, of Little Bowden, recently moved to the district.
He said: "The Market Harborough area is an attractive place to live and work and I accept people want to come to the town.
"However, I am concerned about the increased development on the southern outskirts of the town in Windy Ridge and Clack Hill.
"It seems previously protected greenfield sites are now vulnerable to house-building."
Darren Woodiwiss, 41, of Market Harborough said: "I would like to see more communication from the council.
"The recent attempt to move the council offices from Adam and Eve Street to the St Luke's hospital site, although it fell through, was done without any real consultation.
"I would also like to see more job creation encouraged in the area."
Market Harborough Civic Society chairman Bernard Besbrode said the character of the town needed to be protected.
He said: "There is concern about the plan to build a 1,000-home village north of Market Harborough on Airfield Farm and the impact that will have on the already congested town centre.
"We also need more help with our stretched medical and educational resources.
"The decision to close the public toilets in St Mary's Place caused a great deal of concern."
Lutterworth businessman Stuart Hammond said: "The council needs to support trade by helping us attract more visitors.
"More support for the Lutterworth Improvement Partnership is needed.
"The development of houses on greenfield sites around Lutterworth also needs to be examined closely."
The count will be at Harborough leisure centre on May 6.
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