An independent inspector yesterday got his chance to view the green fields campaigners say should be awarded special status, which could prevent 170 new homes being built.

David Manley QC is holding the public inquiry into an application to have land at Derry Hill in Menston awarded village green status.

Earlier this year, the permission was granted, subject to further agreements, for Barratt Homes to build houses on the land, despite massive objections from people living in the village.

But during day two of the inquiry at the Kirklands Community Centre in Menston, Mr Manley went to view the four fields which make up the Derry Hill site for himself, as evidence from the applicant, Dr Steve Ellams, a member of Menston Action Group, was concluded.

More than a dozen witnesses have given evidence to the inquiry to say they have used the fields for various activities including dog-walking, kite- flying and sports during the past two decades.

If the area is awarded village green status, it is likely the homes would not be able to be built Today, the inquiry will hear the first evidence from the objectors to the application, developers Barratt Homes, Adrian Heather and Richard Horner, who own three fields which make up the site, and Simon Mason, who owns a fourth field on the site.

In order for village green status to be granted, an applicant has to prove a site has been used by residents for at least two decades for recreation, sports and games. The Commons Act 2006 states land can be registered as a town or village green where “a significant number of the inhabitants of any locality, or of any neighbourhood within a locality, have indulged, as of right, in lawful sports and pastimes on the land for a period of at least 20 years”.

Campaigners are hoping to emulate residents in neighbouring Burley -in-Wharfedale who saw Burley House Field granted village green status in 2009 following a battle lasting almost a decade and involving three separate public inquiries.