Hundreds of people attended a public meeting tonight to come up with tactics in their bid to defeat a controversial plan for a 475-home estate in the Aire Valley.

The meeting was organised by members of the Greenhill Action Group (GAG), who are opposed to Bellway and Redrow’s application to build the estate off Sty Lane, Micklethwaite, Bingley.

During the meeting, at Bingley Grammar School, attendees were urged to sign a petition, write letters of objection and volunteer to go door-to-door to enlist the support of more residents.

Terry Brown, chairman of GAG, said: “We need to show them (Council planners) the numbers that are against this development.

“If we lose this round, then that’s it, it’s dead, it goes ahead. If we win, the developers can appeal and, if they do, it will go to a public inquiry. We have to gear up for fundraising because the public inquiry will cost us £30,000. It will not be cheap.”

Mr Brown said the Council’s planning department had been invited to attend the meeting, but had declined. That announcement was met by sighing and booing.

The audience was told that the main road into the development would be closed for six months while a new swing bridge was built across the canal to improve access.

Ruth Carter, a resident of Micklethwaite, walks to Crossflatts rail station each day and said the temporary closure of the bridge would force her to walk the long way round, effectively preventing her from using the station.

Concerns were also expressed about the way in which the development could impact on education in the area, with some people questioning whether Bingley’s already over-subscribed schools could cope.

Richard Raper, a planning consultant for GAG, said: “It’s important to get the planning application refused. That’s the main tactic and it must be the main thrust. But don’t underestimate the opposition. They are both big house-builders who will throw everything at this.”

He urged residents to try to influence planners by objecting to the detail of the proposal on issues such as drainage, highways issues and the impact on wildlife.