Campaigners fighting to stop dozens of homes being built on a former reservoir site are gearing up for a town hall showdown with developers.

Residents say winning the fight to block development of land which used to contain Baildon Bank Reservoir is vital to avoid more strain on the village's already congested roads.

Cala Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd and Keyland Developments have appealed against Bradford Council's refusal of outline planning permission for the homes. The appeal will be heard at Shipley Town Hall tomorrow and Thursday.

The Council turned down the application last autumn, saying because of its distance from local services and facilities and poor access to public transport, meant it would "perform poorly in terms of sustainability''.

Bradford's current Unitary Development Plan (UDP) designates the 3.11 hectare-site, owned by Yorkshire Water, for housing. The draft replacement UDP recommends delaying development there until at least 2009.

The Council's position is backed by the West Lane Action Group, whose members fear up to 70 homes could be built on the site, increasing traffic in the village.

Group spokesman Trevor Hallatt said: "A decision was made in 1995 to allow the land to be developed but circumstances have changed considerably since then. The Council looked at it again and decided it isn't required, in terms of meeting the district's housing need over the next few years, and that there are many other brown field sites that could be developed before this one."

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said: "The only issue raised by the Council in its refusal is the timing of the development. This is a matter that will be put before the inspector."