GREENBELT protestors say recent flooding has highlighted the unsuitably of a site earmarked for hundreds of new homes.

The Menston and Guiseley greenbelt protection group has issued photographs of flooded fields which have been allocated for housing under Leeds City Council's site allocation plan.

They are arguing that it makes no sense to build on an area which is regularly underwater.

Liz Kirkpatrick, from the group, said: "This is one of Leeds preferred sites for housing. 298 houses are planned for these fields in LCC’s housing allocations.

"The clue is in the name. It is land off Ings Lane Guiseley, Ings being an Old Norse word for water meadow.

"And this sort of flooding is not unusual, it happens three to four times a year. It is caused by Mire Beck, which runs alongside the Ings overtopping its banks and flowing into the fields."

The action group was set up last year to defend Menston and Guiseley from development amid fears they could be swamped by thousands of new homes.

Stressing enough is enough, the group argued the area could not cope with vast numbers of new homes – and called on residents to act before it was too late.

The group argued that the infrastructure was already overstretched and said the situation would become untenable if future building went ahead.