ACTION groups fighting developments in Bingley and Menston are urging supporters to dig deep and fund both their war chests with £50,000 each.

Both the Micklethwaite-based Greenhill Action Group (GAG) and Menston Action Group (MAG) are on the brink of more legal battles to overturn Bradford Council planning decisions.

GAG are against Redrow and Bellway Homes' approved scheme for 440 homes on Sty Lane and have managed to put a break on formal planning permission.

And MAG are gearing up for a judicial review of approval for 173 homes at Derry Hill at an estimated cost of £50,000.

Terry Brown, chairman of the anti-Sty Lane group, said: "With the help of Philip Davies MP we brought our concerns to the attention of the Secretary of State who instructed that documents presented at the Planning Panel hearing on June 19 should be sent to the National Planning Casework Unit (NPCU) for review.

"The NPCU issued an Article 25 Direction which stops Bradford Council issuing formal planning permission whilst the NPCU assesses whether the application should be ‘called in’.

"This doesn't automatically mean the planning decision will be overturned, but it has potential to do so and is a welcome step. As a result of this, no formal planning permission can be issued," Mr Brown said.

And if that decision is not overturned, GAG will need some £50,000 for its own judicial review, said Mr Brown:

"It could be that things move very fast and we can't apply for a judicial review unless we already have the money to pay for a barrister or QC.

"So we need to raise the money as soon as possible," Mr Brown said.

MAG met on Tuesday evening for an update on the long-running wrangle over plans to put new homes on a greenfield site at Derry Hill and announced a judicial review against the local authority.

Bradford Council granted planning permission for the development this year, despite fierce local opposition to the scheme.

According to MAG, the judicial review is over "neglect and/or abuse of due process on drainage issues on the proposed development of 179 dwellings on green fields at Derry Hill".

A MAG spokesman said: “Action taken against BMDC is to protect our community from a flooding and drainage issue which, after huge cost and expert advice, clearly shows that if the developments go ahead, flooding and drainage - which we have experienced historically - will get worse.

"So far, local knowledge and material evidence which has been amassed over the years has been forwarded to BMDC but appears to have been ignored.”

MAG believe Menston is the first community in the UK to progress to this stage of planning review.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Menston Action Group has now made a legal challenge to the Council's decision to approve these drainage proposals. In response to this the Council has appointed a planning barrister and his advice is awaited before any further action is taken on this matter."

Dr Steve Ellams of MAG said concerned residents had already found £160,000 for a drainage report and other legal bills, but sadly more cash was urgently needed.

"We have had great support already and although we don't know the total cost of a judicial review, we will need at least £50,000 to proceed with that," Dr Ellams said.

Donations can be made at both the Greenhill Action Group and Menston Action Group websites which are: greenhill-action-group.co.uk and menston-action.org/news.php