A developer has been condemned by villagers after unveiling controversial plans for an eco-home next to a picturesque reservoir.

Residents of Leeming, a tiny hamlet near Oxenhope, Keighley, are fiercely objecting to plans put forward to build a modern glass-fronted house, just yards from their Yorkshire stone cottages in Denholme Road.

They claim the home is “totally unacceptable” after Oxenhope resident Steve Taylor submitted a planning application to Bradford Council to build next to Leeming Reservoir, in an area designated as a conservation area and green belt land in Bradford Council’s planning policies.

Richard Cameron-Williams, of Denholme Road, said: “It is very very modern and totally out of keeping with the area.”

In a letter to Bradford Council, another resident, Richard Williams, described the new house as “inappropriate development”. He added: “The effect on the vista from the opposite side of the reservoir would be catastrophic.”

Residents have also criticised the area’s Worth Valley Councillors after a letter was submitted to planners calling for the application to be discussed by members of its Keighley Area Planning Panel, should the officers decide to refuse the application.

The letter, written by Worth Valley Conservative Councillor Russell Brown, who sits on the planning panel, describes the rural setting as “derelict” and “brown field” and said the innovative design of the new house would have “minimal” impact.

However, Denholme Road resident Ken Aitken, who is also objecting to proposals, said: “They are trying to make out it is brown field land but it is a haven for protected wildlife.”

Councillor Rebecca Poulson (Worth Valley, Conservative), said: “People seem to think councillors are supporting this application, when we are neither supporting this application nor the objectors. I feel that this should go to a public meeting, where residents can raise their concerns and anyone with an interest can have their say.”

Oxenhope parish council will discuss the application at its next meeting on Wednesday.

Neither Mr Taylor nor his agent, Bingley-based consultant John Steel, were available for comment.