ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are backing a fight to stop a large housing estate from being built in north Otley.

The Wharfedale Environmental Trust (WET) has added its voice to residents surrounding the proposed 4.9 hectare greenbelt site between Meagill Rise and Rumplecroft.

And in a letter to Leeds City Council's acting director of planning, the group protests that the application should be turned down on the grounds the development would be clearly visible from footpaths and would extend the urban sprawl of Otley.

An outline planning application for 110 homes has been submitted to Leeds council by developers Taywood Homes.

The land, which is currently classed as interim green belt is expected to be reclassified as suitable for housing in the new Leeds Unitary Development Plan, which is due out at the end of the year or early 1999.

But nearby residents, who have formed themselves into Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion (RAGE) say the existing road network will not be able to cope and that they do not want to lose precious green space.

Geoffrey Jones, WET spokesman, said: "Loss of the typically rich dales flora and fauna for Leeds' housing needs must be resisted.

"This is an example of thoughtless developers tearing up the countryside without regard to the environment. This proposal would have a disastrous impact on both the local environment and Otley's rural character and charm."

He said the group beieved it was not good planning sense to add housing estates onto the edges of the town.

"By doing this, it means that those living in the centre have to start using cars to get to the outskirts of town and those on the peripheral new estates need to use cars to get to the centre and to use amenities and facilities."

In a letter to Leeds planning director, the group points out that the land is classified as interim greenbelt and that it borders the West Riding Green Belt and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The group adds that the development would be seen from footpaths around Clifton and from Otley Chevin and would extend the urban sprawl of Otley's new estates onto the surrounding countryside.

l Otley councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Wharfedale) has called for the council to draw up a planning brief for the site to make sure that any development will have to adhere to strict guidelines and that residents will be involved.

A date has not yet been set by the planning department to discuss the outline planning application.

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