ANGRY residents are up in arms at plans to build homes on an "absolutely beautiful" piece of land in Cleckheaton.

More than 50 people attended a campaign meeting where concerns were voiced about plans to build 51 homes on a green urban space off New Lane. Local councillors are also against the proposals.

Strata Homes has submitted a planning application to Kirklees Council to build a selection of two, three, four and five-bedroomed properties. Residents have until October 27 to send their objections to the Council.

Dawn Coates, of New Lane, lives opposite the proposed site. She said residents from at least 50 homes near the site have voiced their opposition to the plans.

"People are upset," said Mrs Coates. "One of our neighbours was almost in tears - they were really upset at the prospect of it.

"We use the green space. We take our children for walks down there - it is another world in there. When you get in there it is absolutely beautiful, you see foxes, kestrels and owls in there. Dog-walkers use it."

Mrs Coates, 45, said New Lane is a busy road that is dominated down one side by parked cars, and also used as a cut-through by many drivers.

"It is not ideal," said Mrs Coates. "We are worried about the green space going and it is not the fact we will be looking out on houses.

"If they give planning permission to our little field, then it will have a knock-on effect down the valley towards Cleckheaton. Behind this green field is another green space."

Peter Robson, 54, of New Lane, added: "I know people can think 'not in my back yard', but it isn't about that. It is about green belt land being massively attacked."

He added: "It is not the Cotswolds, but it is green land. It is wonderful, it is used by lots of wildlife and lots of people. Children play there all the time."

Mr Robson also flagged up issues around increased traffic on the narrow lane, and the possible impact on local services and schools.

Amid the planning application documents, Strata Homes said: “The proposals have evolved taking account of national planning policy and guidance and the adopted development plan for Kirklees. The proposals comprise the redevelopment of a vacant urban greenfield site for high quality residential development.

"The establishment of the suitability of the site for residential development takes account of the following issues: Economic Imperative; need for new housing; and suitability of the site for housing use."

READ MORE ON THE SAVE OUR GREEN SPACES CAMPAIGN

Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said she shared the residents' "horror and anger" and placed the blame at the feet of Kirklees' Labour-led council.

"Ward councillors and residents will fight it tooth and nail," she insisted.

Cllr Pinnock said the land was classed as urban green space, affording it almost the same protection as green belt land.

"The land is not allocated as a housing site," said Cllr Pinnock. "It would be a fruitless application if we had a competent Labour council. Labour failed to get the new local plan through the local development framework, and because of that, Kirklees has not got an up-to-date plan.

"Every Council is required to have a five-year supply of housing land, and because we have not got a plan we have run out of five-year housing land.

"I am horrified that Cleckheaton is the first place developers are looking at for their green belt site.

"The Council failure to have a plan has left the door ajar for them to push through."

She added: "It is an almighty mess and has left this lovely hillside vulnerable