DETERMINED protesters have

collected hundreds of signatures in opposition to a proposed flood of

five-storey flats on their doorstep.

In just two days, more than 230 residents living around Back Lane, Guiseley, flocked to sign a petition against a plan for 112 flats and five houses on the former Yorkshire Electricity site.

Residents are gearing up to fight the development they claim will leave them 'living in a goldfish bowl', as they try to console themselves after the approval of a 69-house development at the nearby Silver Cross works.

One petition organiser, Christine Fligg, of Pendragon Terrace, said: "We've been all around the area and everybody has signed it. We know the Yorkshire Electricity site is brownfield land, and we don't mind a few houses, but not five-storey high apartments."

She said the blocks of flats, which would be at the end of her garden, would tower over all the houses in the area, and take away everyone's

privacy.

Mrs Fligg said that, coupled with the Silver Cross development, the Yorkshire Electricity site plan could create traffic and parking havoc, and put a strain on nearby schools.

Aireborough ward councillor Graham Latty (Con) raised concerns about over-development in the area at a Leeds City Council plans meeting last week. Now he aims to give residents his full support in fighting more new houses in what he describes as a 'quiet backwater' of the town.

He said: "We have a potential for 186 houses now they have already agreed to the Silver Cross site plan. It they approve the plans for the Yorkshire Electricity site, this will increase the population of Back Lane by 320 per cent."

Some objectors were furious to see councillors on the development control west panel give permission for the Silver Cross plan. Back Lane resident Dennis Conlon said residents were disappointed that Aireborough ward councillor Mike Dunn (Lab), who is a member of the panel, did not oppose approval of the plan last week.

Mr Conlon said: "It's a disturbing situation for me and the 60 or 70 other people who objected. We have councillors to represent us and say yes or no to planning applications."

But Coun Dunn said permission for a smaller number of houses had already been granted last year, when the council's major concern was saving jobs at the ailing Silver Cross factory.

He said Coun Moira Dunn hoped to organise a meeting with residents, but urged them to send any views to Leeds City Council's director of planning as soon as possible.

He said as a member of the panel, he was unable to comment on the details of any plans before they came up at panel meetings.