A growing army of angry residents in a Bradford village is battling plans to build 800 homes on green fields.

Crossflatts Village Society has launched a petition to save land off Sty Lane in Micklethwaite, near Bingley.

The site is earmarked for housing in Bradford Council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - the district's planning blueprint for the next 15 years - and is the biggest contentious plan being considered by a six-month public inquiry.

The Society was set up just three weeks ago with three people to fight the scheme - and now boasts a membership of almost 30.

Chairman Quentin Deakin, pictured with fellow protesters, said many people in Crossflatts were not aware of the proposed development and its effect on the village.

"One of our concerns is that, if all these houses are built, it will mean hundreds of cars coming through Crossflatts - and roads around here are already overloaded," he said.

"A huge influx of people will also have a major impact on amenities, such as schools and health services.

"There will also be the visual impact. Lots of people from Crossflatts and further afield go walking around Sty Lane and the area will be completely changed if this development goes ahead."

So far the group has collected more than 200 signatures and plans to present the petition to City Hall.

Micklethwaite's Greenhill Action Group is also fighting the scheme, which campaigners believe would cause house values to plummet.

Crossflatts resident and village society member Yvonne Smith said she feared for her seven-year-old son Kieran's safety if the development was given the go-ahead.

"As he gets older he'll want to go up to the canal fishing but if there are all these extra hundreds of cars coming down past the canal it won't be safe for him," she said.

"The Bingley relief road will soon be finished but it will have no effect if there are all these new residents with at least one car per house."

Member Liz Deakin said the proposed development could also include a new road being built across the canal, accessible via Canal Road.

"This would mean two roads through Crossflatts, which is something we are against," she said.

The groups plans to meet again on April 28 at a venue yet to be confirmed, and residents are urged to go along and have their say.

For more details about the campaign telephone Mr and Mrs Deakin on (01274) 564087.