Villagers have already raised £12,500 towards a £100,000 battle fund to fight plans for 300 new homes.

Campaigners have asked for the money to be raised to pay for barristers and experts to help fight the plans for the new houses at Derry Hill and Bingley Road in Menston.

Plans to stop the schemes, proposed by Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey and accepted by Bradford Council in February, include instigating a judicial review or taking civil action.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is considering evidence from Bradford Council and could call in the decision, while a Village Green status application is being considered by the Council could block development on Derry Hill if successful.

But after more than 200 opponents to the scheme attended a special meeting involving Menston Action Group (MAG), Menston Community Association (MCA) and the parish council at the Kirklands Community Centre in Menston to hear the battle plans, a total of £2,500 was given to the appeals cause. Members of the groups and Bradford Councillor Dale Smith have written to villagers to highlight how important the fund could be and have asked people to try to put a value on their lives in Menston.

“The amount you give is obviously based on your means, but you might also like to reflect on how long you have enjoyed Menston,” the letter says.

“People who are better off might be able to contribute more, but every contribution will be appreciated.

“The target is realistically within our grasp if enough people chip in generously.”

Meanwhile, Steve Ellams, of MAG, told people the village had acted as a guide for others.

“I believe the village is at a point now where an awful lot of people are looking at us,” he said.

A fund-raising thermometer has also been put up in the village to show how much money has been raised towards the £100,000 appeal total.