A campaign group fighting plans for around 300 homes in a village could be forced to fold unless it receives urgent cash donations.

The Menston Action Group (MAG) has spent 18 months battling developers Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes, who want to build the houses on land at Bingley Road and Derry Hill in the village.

But with no sign of a decision by Bradford Council on the plans in sight, MAG’s treasurer has warned the group is only surviving thanks to an unsecured £10,000 loan.

Mike Walker said so far the group had paid out more than £27,000 in its fight – £6,000 more than it has received in donations.

“Every single penny donated has been very carefully accounted for,” he told a meeting of up to 200 people at the Kirklands Community Centre.

“I’ve had a lot of cash anonymously donated and I can’t personally thank everybody. But we’re in a bit of a dire position.

“Since June 2010, when we set up the fighting fund, we’ve had 321 contributions totalling £21,097 and £8,000 of that came from just five people. But we need much more to carry on as we’ve spent £27,420.

“We’re £6,323 in the red, but we’ve got an unsecured loan of £10,000 from a MAG member to keep us going.”

Mr Walker said the money had been spent on legal fees, technical advice, drainage consultants, signs for gardens and printing costs.

He also revealed a solicitor backing the group had waived about £30,000 in fees.

However, the treasurer called for more financial support from villagers.

To find out how to donate to MAG, e-mail menston@hotmail.co.uk