Hundreds of objectors to a proposed new housing estate in Micklethwaite were promised a public meeting with the developers at a packed gathering tonight.

More than 5,000 people have signed petitions against plans for 475 homes on green fields near Bingley.

At a special neighbourhood forum meeting at Bingley Grammar School, a panel of Bradford Council planners spoke to concerned residents.

Shipley area co-ordinator Chris Flecknoe, who chaired the meeting, said Redrow Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd and Bellway Homes were prepared to discuss the scheme after learning of the significant strength of feeling in the community.

An outline planning application for the site, next to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal off Sty Lane, has been submitted to the Council.

John Eyles, the Council’s major development manager, said details about the site’s layout and the style of properties would be submitted in a secondary planning application if initial permission was granted by the Shipley Area Planning Committee.

That meeting, he said, was likely to take place in June, when the Council’s planning department will have compiled a report recommending whether to approve or refuse the scheme.

Residents expressed doubts over a proposal to increase the size of a swing bridge over Micklethwaite Lane to accommodate extra traffic.

Mr Eyles said: “The proposals are to put a two-lane swing bridge over the canal which will pivot to one side over the canal when it is open.

“There are questions that we have still got over the mechanics of how it is going to work and the associated maintenance.”

Mr Eyles said Council traffic engineers were still assessing the traffic situation. Residents expressed concerns about increased traffic volume and safety on narrow roads.

Speaking during an interval, Liz Brown, secretary of the Greenhill Action Group which was revived to fight the development, said: “Access is a big issue as are that number of houses in an area of natural beauty.”

Resident Tony Bradley, 52, said: “I moved to Micklethwaite and paid extra money because it is a village. If they build 475 houses it ceases to be a village.”

Jack Cahill, 71, said: “This would change the character of a rural hamlet and it’s unnecessary at a time when the town’s major employer has gone bust and its premises are up for sale.”